Chloropidae
Guides
Apallates coxendix
A small grass fly in the family Chloropidae, originally described as Oscinis coxendix by Fitch in 1856 and later transferred to the genus Apallates. The genus Apallates is a small group within the Oscinellinae, and species-level biology remains poorly documented. The specific epithet 'coxendix' refers to the coxal region of the leg. Known from very few observations.
Apallates neocoxendix
Apallates neocoxendix is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, originally described as Oscinella neocoxendix by Sabrosky in 1940. It belongs to the genus Apallates, a small group of chloropid flies within the subfamily Oscinellinae. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, suggesting it is either rare, undercollected, or restricted to specific habitats. The species is known from North America.
Aphanotrigonum
Aphanotrigonum is a genus of frit flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Duda in 1932. The genus contains at least two described species: A. darlingtoniae and A. scabrum. These small flies belong to the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Incertellini.
Apotropina hirta
Apotropina hirta is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1863. It belongs to the subfamily Siphonellopsinae, a group of small flies often associated with grasses and other herbaceous vegetation. The genus Apotropina contains relatively few described species, and A. hirta appears to be among the more rarely encountered members based on limited observational records. Like other chloropids, adults are typically small and inconspicuous, with larvae that develop in plant tissues.
Calamoncosis
frit flies
Calamoncosis is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae (frit flies), established by Enderlein in 1911. The genus contains species distributed across both Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Nearctic fauna includes at least five described species, with most specimens collected from peatlands and marshes in eastern North America. Some species have documented associations with wetland grasses including common reed (Phragmites australis).
Ceratobarys
Ceratobarys is a monotypic genus of frit flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Coquillett in 1898. The genus contains a single described species, Ceratobarys eulophus. Chloropidae are commonly known as grass flies or frit flies, though specific ecological details for this genus remain poorly documented.
Cetema
Cetema is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Hendel in 1907. The genus belongs to the tribe Cetematini within the subfamily Chloropinae. Species in this genus are found in Europe and the Nearctic region, with documented occurrences in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Chaetochlorops inquilinus
Chaetochlorops inquilinus is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae. It belongs to a small genus endemic to the New World, characterized by distinctive male terminalia morphology. The species has been documented in neotropical forest habitats and has known associations with host plants.
Chloropinae
grass flies
Chloropinae is a subfamily of grass flies (family Chloropidae) containing approximately 76 genera and hundreds of species. Members are found across diverse landscapes from boreal regions to arid coastal environments. Larval biology varies considerably, with some species associated with grasses and sedges while others develop in decaying organic matter or as inquilines. The subfamily is taxonomically well-documented in northern Europe and Asia, with ongoing work clarifying species boundaries and distributions.
Chlorops certimus
Chlorops certimus is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Adams in 1904. It belongs to the genus Chlorops, a diverse group of small flies commonly associated with grasses and other monocot plants. The species is accepted in taxonomic databases but remains poorly documented in primary literature. Most Chloropidae are phytophagous, with larvae developing in stems or leaves of host plants.
Chlorops crocota
Chlorops crocota is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Loew in 1863. It is currently treated as a synonym of Chlorops crocotus. Chloropidae are small, often yellowish flies commonly known as grass flies or frit flies, many of which are associated with grasses and cereal crops. The specific biology and ecology of this nominal taxon remain poorly documented due to its synonymized status.
Chlorops rufescens
Chlorops rufescens is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, order Diptera. The species was described by Roser in 1840. A junior synonym, Chlorops rufescens Oldenberg, 1923, has been published but the Roser authorship takes priority. The species belongs to the genus Chlorops, a diverse group of small flies commonly known as grass flies or frit flies. As with many Chloropidae, detailed natural history information for this specific species remains limited in published literature.
Chlorops sulphureus
Yellow Grass Fly
Chlorops sulphureus is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Loew in 1863. The species name 'sulphureus' refers to its yellow coloration. It belongs to a genus containing numerous grass-associated species, many of which are economically significant as pests of cereal crops. As a member of Chloropidae, it likely develops in association with grasses or sedges, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Conioscinella flavescens
Conioscinella flavescens is a species of grass fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Tucker in 1908. The genus Conioscinella belongs to the subfamily Oscinellinae, a group of small flies commonly known as frit flies or grass flies. Members of this family are typically associated with grasses and sedges, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name 'flavescens' refers to a yellowish or becoming-yellow coloration.
Conioscinella zetterstedti
Conioscinella zetterstedti is a species of grass fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Andersson in 1966. It belongs to a genus of small flies associated with grasses and sedges. The species is known from Scandinavia, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Dasyopa
Dasyopa is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Malloch in 1918. As members of the frit fly family, these insects are part of a diverse group containing over 160 described genera. The genus is classified within the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Siphonellini. Very few observations of this genus exist in public databases.
Dasyopa latifrons
Dasyopa latifrons is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1872. It belongs to the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Siphonellini. The genus Dasyopa is part of a diverse group of small flies commonly known as grass flies or frit flies, many of which are associated with grasses and sedges. The specific epithet 'latifrons' refers to the broad frons (frontal region of the head), a characteristic morphological feature of this species.
Dicraeus
Dicraeus is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1873. Species within this genus exhibit specialized feeding habits, with some species feeding on bamboo flowers and others developing as seed predators in grasses. The genus shows notable host specificity, with oviposition behavior influenced by host plant morphology such as glume pubescence. Population genetic studies in Japanese species reveal contrasting patterns of genetic structure correlated with host plant flowering phenology.
Diplotoxa versicolor
Diplotoxa versicolor is a species of grass fly in the family Chloropidae, originally described as Chlorops versicolor by Loew in 1863. The species belongs to the tribe Diplotoxini within the subfamily Chloropinae. It is one of approximately ten species currently recognized in the genus Diplotoxa. Like other chloropid flies, it is associated with grassland and meadow habitats.
Ectecephala
grass flies
Ectecephala is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, commonly known as grass flies. The genus contains approximately six described species, first established by Macquart in 1851. Species within this genus are found in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Ectecephala albistylum
grass fly
Ectecephala albistylum is a species of grass fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Macquart in 1851. Members of this genus are associated with grassy habitats. The species is rarely documented, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Elachiptera
frit flies
Elachiptera is a genus of small frit flies in the family Chloropidae, subfamily Oscinellinae. The genus contains approximately 81 valid species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia, with some species extending into the Oriental Region. Several species are known agricultural pests of cereal crops, with larvae feeding internally within stems of wheat and maize. The genus includes both fully winged and wingless (brachypterous) species.
Elachiptera angusta
frit fly
Elachiptera angusta is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, originally described by Sabrosky in 1948. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Ceratobarys angusta. It belongs to the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Elachipterini. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only three records in iNaturalist.
Elachiptera erythropleura
Elachiptera erythropleura is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, originally described by Sabrosky in 1948. The species has been synonymized under the genus Ceratobarys, with the accepted name being Ceratobarys erythropleura. Chloropidae are commonly known as grass flies or frit flies, many of which are associated with grasses and cereal crops. The specific epithet 'erythropleura' refers to reddish lateral thoracic structures.
Elachiptera flaviceps
Elachiptera flaviceps is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, originally described by Sabrosky in 1948. It is currently treated as a synonym of Ceratobarys flaviceps. The species belongs to the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Elachipterini. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only 7 records documented on iNaturalist.
Elachiptera nigriceps
frit fly
Elachiptera nigriceps is a small fly species in the family Chloropidae, commonly known as frit flies. The species was originally described by Loew in 1863 under the name Crassiseta nigriceps and has since been placed in both Elachiptera and Ceratobarys by different taxonomic authorities. It belongs to a family of flies often associated with grasses and cereal crops.
Elliponeura
Elliponeura is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, commonly known as grass flies. The genus was established by Loew in 1869. Only one species, E. debilis, has been formally described. Members of this genus are poorly studied, with limited biological and ecological data available.
Elliponeura debilis
Elliponeura debilis is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1869. The genus Elliponeura belongs to the tribe Diplotoxini within the subfamily Chloropinae. Chloropid flies are generally small, often yellowish or greenish, and many species are associated with grasses and cereal crops.
Elliponeura diplotoxoides
Elliponeura diplotoxoides is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, originally described by Becker in 1912. It is currently treated as a synonym of Diplotoxa diplotoxoides. The genus Elliponeura has been synonymized with Diplotoxa, making this name an obsolete combination. Members of this species group are small flies associated with grassland and wetland habitats.
Epichlorops
grass flies
Epichlorops is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, commonly known as grass flies. The genus was established by Becker in 1910 and contains at least five described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with records from Europe, North America, and China. Species in this genus are associated with grassland habitats. The genus is taxonomically placed within the tribe Chloropini, subfamily Chloropinae.
Epichlorops elongatus
Epichlorops elongatus is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Wheeler in 1994. The genus Epichlorops belongs to the subfamily Chloropinae and tribe Chloropini. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this species. Records indicate it has been observed at least twice, but detailed information about its habits, host associations, and distribution remains sparse.
Eribolus
frit flies
Eribolus is a genus of frit flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Becker in 1910. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across North America and Europe. These small flies belong to the tribe Oscinisomatini within the subfamily Oscinellinae. Available information on their biology and ecology remains limited.
Eribolus longulus
Eribolus longulus is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1863. Like other members of this family, it is a small dipteran with reduced wing venation. The genus Eribolus contains species that are generally poorly studied, with limited published information on their biology and ecology.
Eugaurax
frit flies
Eugaurax is a genus of frit flies (Chloropidae) established by Malloch in 1913. The genus contains 11 New World species, with North American representatives including leaf miners of aquatic plants. Larvae of E. floridensis mine tissues of arrowheads (Sagittaria spp.), while E. hydrocotyles is a leaf and stem miner of floating marshpennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides). A species complex centered on E. quadrilineatus occurs throughout the Americas but its larval biology remains largely unknown.
Fiebrigella
Fiebrigella is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, first described by Duda in 1921. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Fibrigellini. Chloropid flies, commonly known as grass flies or frit flies, are generally small and often associated with grasses and other monocot plants. The genus remains poorly documented in public sources, with limited species-level information available.
Gaurax dorsalis
frit fly
Gaurax dorsalis is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, a family commonly known as grass flies or frit flies. The species was described by Loew in 1863. Chloropidae are small, often inconspicuous flies, many of which are associated with grasses or other monocot plants. The genus Gaurax is placed in the tribe Botanobiini within the subfamily Oscinellinae.
Gaurax maculipes
Gaurax maculipes is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Sabrosky in 1951. It is a member of the tribe Botanobiini within the subfamily Oscinellinae. The species is known from very limited occurrence records, with only one documented observation in iNaturalist as of the available data. Like other chloropid flies, it likely has close ecological associations with grasses or sedges, though specific biology remains undocumented.
Gaurax melanotum
frit fly
Gaurax melanotum is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Sabrosky in 1951. The species belongs to the tribe Botanobiini within the subfamily Oscinellinae. It is a small dipteran with limited documented observations.
Gaurax pseudostigma
frit fly
Gaurax pseudostigma is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Johnson in 1913. The genus Gaurax belongs to the tribe Botanobiini within the subfamily Oscinellinae. Like other chloropid flies, it is a small dipteran, but specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Gaurax shannoni
frit fly
Gaurax shannoni is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Sabrosky in 1951. The species belongs to the genus Gaurax within the tribe Botanobiini. Very little specific information is available about this species beyond its taxonomic placement. It is one of numerous small dipteran species in a family commonly known as frit flies or grass flies.
Hippelates
eye gnats, eye flies
Hippelates is a genus of minute flies in the family Chloropidae, commonly known as eye gnats or eye flies. Adults measure 1.5–2.5 mm in length and frequently aggregate around the eyes of humans and animals to feed on lacrimal secretions. They do not bite. Several species have documented medical and veterinary significance, including transmission of bacterial pathogens causing bovine mastitis and human conjunctivitis.
Hippelates dorsalis
Hippelates dorsalis is a small fly in the family Chloropidae (grass flies or frit flies), described by Loew in 1869. Members of the genus Hippelates are commonly known as eye gnats due to their habit of hovering around the eyes and other moist facial areas of humans and animals. The specific epithet 'dorsalis' refers to a dorsal (back) characteristic, though the precise morphological feature referenced is not detailed in available sources. Like other chloropids, this species likely has a compact body and reduced wing venation typical of the family.
Hippelates nobilis
Hippelates nobilis is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1863. The species has been documented in Florida with a newly recorded host plant association, though the specific host plant identity was not detailed in available source material. As a member of the Hippelates genus, it belongs to a group of small flies commonly known as eye gnats or frit flies, though species-specific biological details for H. nobilis remain limited in published literature.
Hippelates proboscideus
frit fly
Hippelates proboscideus is a small frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Williston in 1896. The species has been documented in Brazil (Bahia, Ceará) and Hawaii, indicating a broad geographic spread possibly facilitated by human activity. Like other members of Hippelates, it belongs to a genus known for eye-frequenting behavior in some species, though specific habits for this species remain poorly documented. The single iNaturalist observation suggests it is rarely encountered or underreported.
Hippelatini
Hippelatini is a tribe of small flies within the family Chloropidae (frit flies or grass flies), subfamily Oscinellinae. Members are generally small, delicate dipterans associated with grassy or herbaceous habitats. The tribe was established by Enderlein in 1936. Hippelatini includes genera such as Hippelates, which contains species sometimes referred to as eye gnats due to their attraction to eye secretions.
Homaluroides
grass flies
Homaluroides is a genus of grass flies (family Chloropidae) containing approximately 9 described species. The genus was established by Sabrosky in 1980. Species in this genus are distributed across North America, with records from the United States and Mexico. They are part of the tribe Cetematini within the subfamily Chloropinae.
Lasiosina
Lasiosina is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Becker in 1910. Members of this genus are distributed across Europe and the Nearctic region, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. At least one species, Lasiosina devitata, has been documented as a host for parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae.
Liohippelates
Liohippelates Eye Gnats, eye gnats
Liohippelates is a genus of eye gnats (Diptera: Chloropidae) containing approximately 11 described species. These small flies are recognized for their persistent association with mammalian eyes and bodily secretions, causing significant nuisance to humans and livestock. Several species, notably L. pusio and L. collusor, have been extensively studied as agricultural and public health pests in the United States since the 1930s. The genus includes confirmed mechanical vectors of human pathogens, with L. peruanus documented carrying Haemophilus aegyptius associated with Brazilian purpuric fever.
Liohippelates collusor
eye gnat
Liohippelates collusor is a species of eye gnat in the family Chloropidae, recognized as a significant pest of humans and animals in the United States since the 1930s. Along with Liohippelates pusio, it has been the focus of extensive research on biology, ecology, and management. The species causes considerable discomfort and stress through persistent attraction to eyes, wounds, and body openings, and may transmit pathogens. Its biology and life cycle have been well studied in agricultural systems, though its ecological roles in natural ecosystems remain poorly documented.
Malloewia
frit flies
Malloewia is a genus of small frit flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Sabrosky in 1980. The genus contains approximately eight described species, most originally described by Becker in 1912. These flies belong to the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Incertellini. The genus name honors dipterist John Russell Malloch.