Brachycera
Guides
Afrocamilla
Afrocamilla is a genus of small flies in the family Camillidae, established by Barraclough in 1992. The genus is endemic to Africa, distinguishing it from the primarily Australasian distribution of related camillid genera. As part of the poorly known family Camillidae, Afrocamilla species are minute acalyptrate flies associated with decaying organic matter. The family Camillidae is placed in the superfamily Opomyzoidea within the large suborder Brachycera.
Arachnidomyia
Arachnidomyia is a genus-group name established by Townsend in 1934 within the flesh fly family Sarcophagidae. Its taxonomic status remains unsettled: Catalogue of Life treats it as a synonym of Sarcophaga (Mehria), while GBIF marks it as doubtful and iNaturalist classifies it as a subgenus of Sarcophaga. The genus contains few documented species and is rarely referenced in modern literature.
Asiloidea
asiloid flies
Asiloidea is a large superfamily of true flies (Diptera: Brachycera) with cosmopolitan distribution. It comprises approximately 11 families including the well-known Asilidae (robber/assassin flies), Bombyliidae (bee flies), Therevidae (stiletto flies), Mydidae (mydas flies), and Scenopinidae (window flies). Adult morphology is characterized by antennae with no more than 4 flagellomeres, leg empodium usually setiform or absent, and wing venation featuring an elongate cell cup with vein CuA2 ending freely or meeting A1 near the wing margin. Larval synapomorphies include posterior spiracles arising dorsally from the penultimate abdominal segment and, in most families except Bombyliidae and Hilarimorphidae, a modified cranium forming a hinged metacephalic rod.
DipteraBrachyceraAsiloidearobber-fliesbee-fliesstiletto-fliesmydas-flieswindow-fliescosmopolitanarid-habitatspredatory-larvaeflower-visitorsparasitoidsbiological-controlAsilidaeBombyliidaeTherevidaeMydidaeScenopinidaeApioceridaeApsilocephalidaeApystomyiidaeEvocoidaeHilarimorphidaeMythicomyiidaeProtapioceridaephylogenysystematicsvenomouspredatorymystaxmetacephalic-roddichopticholopticJurassicCretaceoustherevoid-cladeNamib-DesertCanary-IslandsSaudi-ArabiaDominicaChileGermanyfossilcybertaxonomyopen-accessZooKeysBohart-MuseumWorld-Robber-Fly-DayBillaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisBrachystoma occidentale
Brachystoma occidentale is a species of dance fly in the family Brachystomatidae, first described by Melander in 1902. The species name "occidentale" refers to its western distribution in North America. Dance flies in this family are predatory as adults and are commonly found in moist habitats near streams and wetlands. Limited observational data exists for this species, with 27 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Camptoprosopella
Camptoprosopella is a genus of true flies in the family Lauxaniidae, established by Hendel in 1907. The genus contains over 30 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records ranging from North America through Central America to South America. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized flies, many of which were described by Canadian dipterist G.E. Shewell in 1939.
Chaetopsis aenea
picture-winged fly
Chaetopsis aenea is a species of picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae, originally described by Wiedemann in 1830 under the basionym Ortalis aenea. As a member of the genus Chaetopsis, it belongs to a group of flies known for their patterned wings. The species has been documented through 23 iNaturalist observations, though detailed biological information remains limited in published sources.
Chrysops aberrans
Wandering Deer Fly
Chrysops aberrans is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It is commonly known as the Wandering Deer Fly. The species was described by Philip in 1941. As a member of the genus Chrysops, it belongs to a group of biting flies known for their painful bites to mammals, including humans.
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
deer-flyTabanidaeDipteramedical-entomologyovipositionfecundityring-clawed-deer-flyVermontUnited-Statesmud-substrategelatinous-egg-massChrysopsinaeChrysopsiniWalker-1848iNaturalistlaboratory-rearingegg-mass156-eggsrange-42-312near-watermud-like-substrateegg-depositionreproductionbehavioral-studymedical-entomology-researchinsect-vectorsbiting-fliestabanid-flieshorse-fliesdeer-fliesChrysopsNorth-AmericaNew-Englandobservation-recordssynonym-status-in-Catalogue-of-Lifeaccepted-status-in-GBIFarthropodinsectflyBrachyceraTabanomorphaHexapodaPterygotaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectacincticornisChrysops-cincticornis-Walker-1848Chrysops-(Chrysops)-cincticornisdeerflyhorseflytabanidbiting-flyvectoroviposition-behaviorfecundity-studyJournal-of-Medical-Entomology198210.1093/jmedent/19.5.597gelatinous-secretionmudwaterlaboratory-conditionsmean-fecundityegg-productionreproductive-biologyentomologyinsect-behaviorinsect-reproductiondipterantrue-flytwo-winged-flynematoceranCyclorrhaphaAschizaSchizophoraAcalyptrataeCalyptrataeOestroideaMuscoideaHippoboscoideaGlossinidaeCalliphoridaeSarcophagidaeMuscidaeFanniidaeAnthomyiidaeScathophagidaeOestridaeTachinidaeSiphonapteraPhthirapteraHemipteraColeopteraLepidopteraHymenopteraNeuropteraMegalopteraRaphidiopteraTrichopteraStrepsipteraMecopteraDipluraProturaCollembolaZygentomaArchaeognathaEphemeropteraOdonataPlecopteraGrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodeaPhasmatodeaOrthopteraDermapteraEmbiopteraZorapteraIsopteraBlattodeaMantodeaPhyllodocidaNotopteraWalker1848speciestaxongelatinoushabitatdistributionGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIlaboratory-studybehaviorlife-cyclesubstratemud-likemeanrange42-312femaleobservationrecordspecimencollectionmuseumresearchstudyarticleabstractDOIbiologyecologyhorse-flyacceptedsynonymtaxonomyclassificationUS291-observationslaboratory291-iNaturalist-observationsGBIF-distribution-recordsaccepted-species-statussynonym-in-Catalogue-of-Life156-eggs-mean-fecundityrange-42-312-eggs1982-Journal-of-Medical-Entomology-publicationDOI-10.1093/jmedent/19.5.597entomology-researchdipteran-biologyChrysops clavicornis
deer fly
Chrysops clavicornis is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Brennan in 1935. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies commonly known as deer flies or yellow flies. The species is characterized by clubbed antennae, as indicated by its specific epithet 'clavicornis' (from Latin clavus = club, cornu = horn). Like other members of the genus, it is likely a blood-feeding fly with females requiring blood meals for egg development.
Coenomyia ferruginea
Stink Fly
Coenomyia ferruginea, commonly known as the stink fly, is a species of fly in the family Xylophagidae. The family name derives from Greek roots meaning "wood-eating," referring to the larval habit of developing in dead and decaying wood. Adults are large, brown, and slow-moving flies that can be mistaken for beetles at first glance. The species occurs across Europe and North America. Formerly classified as a subfamily of Rhagionidae (snipe flies), Xylophagidae is now recognized as a distinct family closely related to Tabanidae (horse and deer flies).
Dicolonus medius
Dicolonus medius is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Adisoemarto and Wood in 1975. The genus Dicolonus belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their robust build and predatory habits. Like other asilids, this species is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects. Specific biological details for D. medius remain poorly documented in the accessible literature.
Diopsoidea
Diopsoidea is a small but diverse superfamily of acalyptrate muscoid flies with cosmopolitan distribution, particularly abundant in tropical regions. The group has experienced taxonomic revision, with Strongylophthalmyiidae and Tanypezidae now placed in Nerioidea. The superfamily includes families such as Diopsidae (stalk-eyed flies), Psilidae, and Syringogastridae.
Dirhininae
Dirhininae is a subfamily of chalcidid wasps established by Ashmead in 1904, containing four genera and over 100 species, many of which remain undescribed. Members of the tribe Dirhinini are distinguished by a pair of prominent head horns and are primarily distributed in tropical regions. These wasps are parasitoids that develop within various Brachycera flies, with the adult wasp using its horns, mandibles, and robust body to forcefully emerge from the host.
Eccoptomera aldrichi
Eccoptomera aldrichi is a species of fly in the family Heleomyzidae, described by Czerny in 1928. The genus Eccoptomera belongs to the diverse group of muscoid flies within the order Diptera. Members of Heleomyzidae are generally small to medium-sized flies associated with decaying organic matter. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Empidoidea
Dance Flies, Long-legged Flies, and Allies
Empidoidea is a large monophyletic superfamily of true flies (Diptera) comprising approximately 10,000 described species across all continents except Antarctica. As the sister taxon to Muscomorpha (Cyclorrhapha), these two groups are sometimes united in the unranked taxon Eremoneura. The superfamily includes several well-known families: Empididae (dagger flies and balloon flies), Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies), and Hybotidae (dance flies). The group has existed since the Jurassic period and has been subject to extensive phylogenetic revision, particularly following molecular studies in 2018 that reshaped relationships among constituent families.
Eulasiona
Eulasiona is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1892. The genus currently contains 12 described species distributed primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. As members of the family Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most Eulasiona species remain undocumented. The genus is classified in the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Voriini.
Exoristoides johnsoni
Exoristoides johnsoni is a species of tachinid bristle fly described by Coquillett in 1897. It is a parasitoid of crickets, specifically known to attack Gryllus integer and other members of the family Gryllidae. The species occurs across North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico. As a tachinid fly, it likely oviposits on or near its hosts, with larvae developing internally and eventually killing the host.
Hoplocheiloma totliana
Hoplocheiloma totliana is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae. The species was originally described by Gmelin in 1790 under the basionym Musca totliana. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive body proportions. Limited published information exists regarding the specific biology of this species.
Laphystia
Laphystia is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Loew in 1847. The genus contains at least 50 described species, with 56 species listed in current catalogs. Members are aerial predators within the order Diptera, though specific morphological and ecological traits distinguishing Laphystia from related asilid genera are not well documented in readily available sources.
Leptomydinae
Mydas flies
Leptomydinae is a subfamily of mydas flies (family Mydidae) containing at least 6 genera and more than 50 described species. Members are primarily distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. The subfamily includes the genera Eremomidas, Hessemydas, Leptomydas, Nemomydas, Plyomydas, and Pseudonomoneura. Leptomydas, the type genus, was established by Gerstaecker in 1868.
Megaphorus frustrus
Megaphorus frustrus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Pritchard in 1935 under the basionym Mallophorina frustra. The genus Megaphorus belongs to the tribe Apocleini within the subfamily Asilinae. Robber flies in this genus are large, powerful predators known for their robust build and predatory habits. Information specifically documenting M. frustrus is sparse in the provided sources, though the genus is known from western North American arid and semi-arid habitats.
Megaphorus prudens
Megaphorus prudens is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described by Pritchard in 1935. Robber flies in the genus Megaphorus are generally large, predatory insects known for their robust build and powerful flight. The species is poorly documented in the primary literature, with minimal published information regarding its biology, distribution, or distinguishing characteristics.
Norrbomia sordida
Norrbomia sordida is a species of small dung fly in the family Sphaeroceridae, originally described as Copromyza sordida by Zetterstedt in 1847. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with some authorities placing it in the genus Borborillus as B. sordidus. It is known from Hawaii and represents one of the few documented occurrences of this genus in the Pacific region. Sphaeroceridae are among the smallest true flies and are primarily associated with decomposing organic matter.
Odontoloxozus
cactus flies
Odontoloxozus is a genus of cactus flies in the family Neriidae, established by Enderlein in 1922. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in the Americas. Members of this genus are associated with cactus habitats, with detailed behavioral ecology documented for Odontoloxozus longicornis in Arizona. Males exhibit territorial behavior and alternative mating strategies related to body size and environmental conditions.
Oestroidea
Bot Flies, Blow Flies, and Allies
Oestroidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae comprising approximately 15,000 described species worldwide. It includes blow flies (Calliphoridae), bot flies (Oestridae), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), tachinid flies (Tachinidae), and related families. The group exhibits diverse ecological strategies including saprophagy, parasitism, and parasitoidism. Molecular analyses confirm Oestroidea as monophyletic, though relationships among constituent families remain partially unresolved.
Paradryomyza setosa
Paradryomyza setosa is a species of true fly in the family Dryomyzidae, a group commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies. The species was described by Bigot in 1886. Like other members of Dryomyzidae, it belongs to a family whose larvae are known to develop in terrestrial snails and slugs, making them predators of mollusks. The genus Paradryomyza contains relatively few described species, and P. setosa is among the better-documented members of this genus.
Platypezoidea
Platypezoidea is a superfamily of true flies within the section Aschiza of the suborder Brachycera. Adults lack the ptilinum—a sac-like structure used by Schizophora to emerge from the puparium—and therefore do not possess the characteristic inverted-U-shaped ptilinal suture above the antennae. The superfamily contains five families: Phoridae (coffin and scuttle flies), Opetiidae (flat-footed flies), Ironomyiidae (ironic flies), Lonchopteridae (spear-winged or pointed-wing flies), and Platypezidae (flat-footed flies). Some classifications separate Ironomyiidae, Lonchopteridae, and Phoridae as the distinct superfamily Phoroidea.
Pyrgotella chagnoni
Pyrgotella chagnoni is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, a group commonly known as pyrgotid flies. The family is characterized by parasitoid larvae that develop inside scarab beetles. This species was described by Johnson in 1900. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits the distinctive head morphology and wing venation typical of Pyrgotidae.
Rhaphiomidas hasbroucki
Rhaphiomidas hasbroucki is a species of mydas fly described by Cazier in 1985. It belongs to the family Mydidae, a group of large, robust flies often mistaken for wasps. The genus Rhaphiomidas is restricted to western North America and includes several species of conservation concern. This species is one of the lesser-known members of the genus with limited published biological data.
Saropogon coquilletti
Saropogon coquilletti is a species of assassin fly (family Asilidae) first described by Back in 1909. It belongs to the genus Saropogon, which was reviewed for Nearctic species north of Mexico by Charlotte Herbert Alberts as part of her dissertation research on assassin fly systematics. Like other members of the Asilidae, this species is a predatory fly with venomous capabilities. The species is part of a group that has received recent taxonomic attention due to the discovery and description of related new species in the southwestern United States.
Scleropogon picticornis
Scleropogon picticornis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory true flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was described by Hermann Loew in 1866. Like other Asilidae, it possesses a stout body, strong legs with spines for capturing prey, and a distinctive concave facial profile between the eyes. The specific epithet 'picticornis' refers to the painted or marked antennae characteristic of this species.
Scleropogon subulatus
Scleropogon subulatus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1828. It belongs to the genus Scleropogon, a group of predatory flies known for their distinctive elongated mouthparts and ambush hunting behavior. The species is part of the diverse Asilidae family, which contains approximately 7,000 described species worldwide. Available observation records indicate this species has been documented in multiple locations, though detailed ecological studies remain limited.
Stratiomyomorpha
Soldier Flies and Allies
Stratiomyomorpha is a parvorder of brachyceran flies comprising approximately 3,000 species, dominated by the family Stratiomyidae (soldier flies) with two smaller associated families. The group is characterized by broad morphological diversity ranging from slender to robust body forms. Larvae occupy varied aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. Adults are often conspicuous, frequently displaying metallic coloration.
Tabanomorpha
Snipe Flies and Allies
Tabanomorpha is a brachyceran infraorder of Diptera comprising primarily two large families—Tabanidae (horse and deer flies) and Rhagionidae (snipe flies)—along with several smaller affiliated families including Athericidae, Vermileonidae, Austroleptidae, Oreoleptidae, Spaniidae, and Pelecorhynchidae. The group is notable as one of only two brachyceran lineages outside Hippoboscoidea containing blood-feeding (hematophagous) species, though they are not significant disease vectors. Phylogenetic relationships among constituent families remain unresolved.
Tanypezidae
Stretched-foot Flies
Tanypezidae is a small family of acalyptrate Diptera containing 28 species in two genera. The family is primarily New World in distribution, with Tanypeza (2 species) occurring in North America and the Palearctic, and Neotanypeza (26 species) restricted to the Neotropics. Species are characterized by their relatively large size, semispherical heads, stout bodies, and notably long, thin legs that give the family its common name. The biology of most species remains poorly known.
Thereva bakeri
Thereva bakeri is a species of stiletto fly in the family Therevidae, described by Cole in 1923. Stiletto flies are predatory insects in the order Diptera, characterized by their distinctive elongated mouthparts. The species is part of the diverse genus Thereva, which contains numerous species across multiple continents. Limited specific information is available for this particular species.
Vermileonidae
wormlions
Vermileonidae is a small family of Brachycera flies comprising fewer than 80 described species in 11 genera. The family is notable for its unusual biology: larvae construct conical pitfall traps in sand to capture prey, while adults are slender, long-legged flies that visit flowers for nectar. Historically classified within Rhagionidae, Vermileonidae is now recognized as a distinct family due to marked morphological and biological differences. The group has a relictual distribution concentrated in arid regions of Africa and the western Mediterranean, with additional species in Asia and the Nearctic.
Xylophagidae
awl-flies, stink flies
Xylophagidae is a small family of lower brachyceran flies comprising nine extant genera and approximately 135 species. Commonly known as awl-flies or stink flies, these insects are characterized by elongated bodies that resemble ichneumon wasps, with a constricted base of the abdomen and three-segmented antennae. The family occurs across all biogeographical regions except the Afrotropics. Larvae are primarily associated with rotting wood, where many species are predatory on other insect larvae.