Symphoromyia

Frauenfeld, 1867

Rocky Mountain bite flies, bane flies, blight flies

Symphoromyia is a Holarctic of predatory distinguished by unusual among . range 4.5–9 mm with variable coloration: black, grey, or gold; grey, black, black-and-, or entirely yellow. Some feed on mammal blood, including deer and humans, while others appear predatory. The genus includes five subgenera and multiple fossil species from Eocene Baltic amber.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Symphoromyia: /sɪmˌfɔːroʊˈmaɪə/

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

Identification

Stout-bodied 4.5–9 mm with short equal to or longer than (scape at least twice pedicel length in most extant ). black, grey, or gold; variable from grey or black to black with or completely yellow. or lightly infuscate. Distinguished from other by blood-feeding in females of several species and associated mouthpart structure.

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Distribution

Holarctic distribution including North America (including Vermont), Europe (West and Central Europe, east to Northwest Russia, Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and Asia (China). Fossil known from Middle Eocene Baltic amber (~48–37 Ma).

Diet

Blood-feeding () on mammals including deer and humans in some ; predatory likely in others.

Behavior

Females attracted to CO₂-baited traps, indicating CO₂ serves as -seeking cue; trap catches correlate with host attack rates. Males form swarms. Documented attack on deer in Northern California and on humans in Central Italy.

Ecological Role

Blood-feeding function as of mammals; may serve as for microorganisms. Predatory species likely contribute to .

Human Relevance

Biting pest of humans and livestock; some cause painful bites. Documented human-biting records in Italy and elsewhere. Subject to control efforts using CO₂-baited traps.

Sources and further reading