Anthomyiid
Guides
Delia platura
seedcorn maggot, bean seed fly
Delia platura is a cosmopolitan polyphagous pest in the family Anthomyiidae, commonly known as the seedcorn maggot or bean seed fly. It attacks germinating seeds and seedlings of over 40 host plants including corn, soybeans, beans, peas, and cruciferous vegetables. Larvae typically feed on decaying organic matter but will invade healthy plant tissue when cool, wet spring conditions delay crop germination, causing significant agricultural losses. The species is also a documented vector of bacterial pathogens, including Erwinia amylovora which causes fire blight in apple and pear trees. Two cryptic genetic lines (H-line and N-line) with distinct distributions and mating behaviors have been identified, with H-line females showing strong mate selectivity.
Eutrichota fuscipes
Root maggot fly
Eutrichota fuscipes is a species of root maggot fly in the family Anthomyiidae, described by Malloch in 1920. The genus Eutrichota belongs to a group of flies commonly associated with root-feeding larvae that can be agricultural pests. This species is part of a diverse family of calyptrate flies that are ecologically significant as decomposers and, in some cases, plant pests.
Eutrichota impolita
Eutrichota impolita is a species of root maggot fly in the family Anthomyiidae, described by Huckett in 1951. Members of this genus are commonly associated with soil habitats and are known for their larvae feeding on plant roots. The species is part of a diverse group of flies often encountered in urban and natural environments during spring surveys.
Fucellia thinobia
Cormorant Fly, Kelp Fly
Fucellia thinobia is a small fly in the family Anthomyiidae known primarily from Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Despite being commonly called a "kelp fly," it has no association with kelp; rather, it develops in purge-soaked soil beneath dead cormorants in island rookeries. The species was the focus of intensive research by UC Davis forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey beginning in 2007, who demonstrated its strict dependence on cormorant carcass sites. Its localized distribution and specialized breeding habitat make it a notable example of island endemism among dipterans.
Pegomya winthemi
Pegomya winthemi is a small fly species in the family Anthomyiidae, measuring 4.25–5 mm in length. First described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1829 as Anthomyia winthemi, it occurs in North America and parts of Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The species exhibits distinctive morphological features including yellowish-red coloration on the anterior lateral angles of the thorax and scutellum.