Mydaea

Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830

Species Guides

Mydaea is a large of true flies in the Muscidae, first described by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus belongs to the Mydaeinae and contains numerous distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Members of this genus are part of the diverse muscid fly fauna, though specific biological details for many species remain poorly documented.

Mydaea by (c) Michael Knapp, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Knapp. Used under a CC-BY license.

Mydaea by no rights reserved, uploaded by Iain Robson. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Mydaea: /ˈmɪdiə/

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Identification

Mydaea can be distinguished from other Muscidae by genitalic characters, particularly male terminalia structures. The is placed in Mydaeinae, which is characterized by specific combinations of bristle patterns on the and legs. Accurate species-level identification generally requires examination of microscopic features and is not reliably possible from photographs alone.

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Distribution

Recorded from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States (including Vermont). The has a broad Northern Hemisphere distribution, with additional unverified records likely across Europe and North America.

Similar Taxa

HydrotaeaAlso in Muscidae with similar general body plan; distinguished by different male genitalia and thoracic bristle patterns
MyospilaAnother mydaeine ; separation requires detailed examination of leg chaetotaxy and genitalic

More Details

Taxonomic note

Mydaea is one of the larger within Muscidae, but -level remains challenging and frequently revised. The genus is not well represented in popular field guides due to identification difficulties.