Anthomyiidae

root-maggot flies, kelp flies, anthomyiid flies

Genus Guides

19

is a large of Muscoidea flies commonly known as root-maggot flies or kelp flies. Most are small to moderate in size with drab grey to black coloration, though some such as Pegomya are yellow and others display black-and-white or black-and-silvery-grey patterns. The family exhibits diverse larval habits: many feed in stems and roots of plants, some are scavengers in birds' nests, others are leaf miners, and a few are kleptoparasites or . Several species are significant agricultural pests, particularly in the genus Delia.

Botanophila fugax by (c) Martin Cooper, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Anthomyia procellaris by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jean-Paul Boerekamps. Used under a CC0 license.Anthomyia procellaris by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jean-Paul Boerekamps. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthomyiidae: /ænˌθoʊˈmaɪɪˌdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Difficult to identify to level for most . Conspicuous exceptions include kelp flies (Fucellia) found on beaches. Key diagnostic features include: hypopleural bristles, straight wing , anal vein reaching wing margin (except Chelisia), and three pairs of postsutural dorsocentral bristles. Male genitalia and female terminalia often required for definitive species identification. Females of many species remain undescribed.

Images

Habitat

Highly diverse: agricultural fields, coastal beaches (kelp flies), bird nests, decaying plant material, and mountain environments. Some are closely associated with specific plants including willows, poplars, and various agricultural crops.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution with representation in Palaearctic, Nearctic, Afrotropical, Oriental, Australasian/Oceanian, and Neotropical regions. Specific distributions vary by and .

Seasonality

Varies by and climate. Some species with tightly synchronized to plants. Delia platura in central Iowa undergo during summer months.

Diet

Larvae: seed contents, plant stems and roots, decaying plant material, or kleptoparasitic in nests. : some feed on pollen; others likely feed on nectar or other liquid sources.

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Larvae commonly called root-maggots. Some with larval development synchronized to plant . Cabbage root fly (Erioischia brassicae) has facultative pupal induced by through host plant cues. Delia platura undergoes in pupal stage in central Iowa.

Behavior

of some are common flower visitors and involved in pollination in mountain environments. Larvae of Eustalomyia are kleptoparasites of solitary , though observations suggest possible of social wasp larvae. Females of some are highly selective in mate choice; Delia platura H-line females show strong pre-mating isolation from N-line males. Adults of kelp flies are strongly attracted to human presence, landing persistently.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pests causing significant economic damage to crop germination and establishment. Seed-feeding larvae may reduce seed production of plants. Some potential biocontrol agents for Hypericum species. Kleptoparasitic species exploit -provisioned resources. Flower-visiting contribute to pollination in some .

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pests: onion fly (), wheat bulb fly (), turnip root fly (Delia floralis), seedcorn maggot (Delia platura), and cabbage root fly (Delia radicum) cause substantial crop losses. Kelp flies (Fucellia) are nuisance pests on beaches, particularly Alcatraz Island where Fucellia thinobia has been extensively studied. Used in research.

Similar Taxa

  • MuscidaeSimilar overall appearance; distinguished by wing venation details and bristle patterns
  • FanniidaeSmall housefly-like appearance; distinguished by straight and hypopleural bristle arrangement
  • ScathophagidaeHistorically sometimes confused; Scathophagidae now treated as distinct with different larval habits

More Details

Etymology

name derived from Greek anthos (flower) + myia (fly), though not all are flower-associated.

Taxonomic History

Formerly included Scathophaginae (dung flies), now treated as separate Scathophagidae. Classification revised by Pont & Ackland 1980 and subsequent .

Research Significance

Fucellia thinobia on Alcatraz Island has been subject of extensive research by forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey, who identified it as unique to cormorant rookeries there and not actually associated with kelp despite .

Cryptic Species

Delia platura comprises at least two genetically distinct lines (H- and N-lines) with reproductive incompatibility suggesting cryptic status.

Parthenogenesis

Egle groenlandica may represent the first known case of in calyptrate flies, known only from females.

Tags

Sources and further reading