Do mosquitoes have any redeeming qualities? What stops us from completely eradicating them from off the face of the earth? What good are mosquitoes?
Diptera
- David Bradt shares his experiences as an entomologist in the US Army.
- Spencer Doepel of Ecoflys talks about the black soldier fly, its life cycle, and how to rear it.
Guides
Ablabesmyia cinctipes
Ablabesmyia cinctipes is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae, order Diptera. The species was described by Johannsen in 1946. Chironomidae is a large family of aquatic insects whose larvae inhabit diverse freshwater environments. Adults are generally short-lived and do not feed.
Ablautus
Prospectors
Ablautus is a genus of small robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 14 described species. Adults measure 6–7 millimeters and inhabit arid regions of western and southwestern North America, particularly sandy areas within sagebrush communities. The genus exhibits notable mimicry relationships, with Ablautus mimus known to mimic Lestomyia sabulonum. Species were described primarily by J. Wilcox during 1935–1966, with the genus first established by Loew in 1866.
Ablautus colei
Northwestern Prospector
Ablautus colei is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. It belongs to a genus of small, sand-colored predatory flies found in North America. The species is part of the 'Northwestern Prospector' group within the genus, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Like other Ablautus species, it likely exhibits sexual dimorphism in facial hair coloration and elaborate male courtship displays.
Ablautus coquilletti
Coquillett Prospector
Ablautus coquilletti is a species of assassin fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1935. The genus Ablautus comprises predatory flies commonly known as prospectors, characterized by their distinctive facial hair and venomous hunting behavior. This species is currently undergoing taxonomic revision as part of broader systematic studies of the genus Ablautus.
Ablautus flavipes
Yellow-legged Prospector
Ablautus flavipes is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Yellow-legged Prospector. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their aerial hunting abilities. The specific epithet flavipes refers to yellow legs, a characteristic feature of this species.
Ablautus mimus
Arizona Prospector
Ablautus mimus is a small robber fly (family Asilidae) native to arid regions of western and southwestern North America. Adults measure approximately 6–7 millimeters and exhibit sand-colored camouflage. The species has been documented in association with sandy soils in sagebrush habitats and shows documented mimicry of Lestomyia sabulonum, another small fly species sharing its habitat. It is also known to occur alongside Cyrtopogon ablautoides in sandy desert regions.
Ablautus rufotibialis
Texas Prospector
Ablautus rufotibialis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Back in 1909. Like other members of the genus Ablautus, it is a small predatory dipteran. The species epithet 'rufotibialis' refers to reddish coloration on the tibiae. Robber flies in this genus are active in early spring and exhibit distinctive courtship behaviors.
Acantholeria
Acantholeria is a genus of small flies in the family Heleomyzidae, established by Garrett in 1921. The genus is poorly known, with limited published information on its species diversity, biology, and ecology. Records suggest it occurs in North America, though specific details remain sparse.
Acantholespesia
Acantholespesia is a genus of tachinid flies described by Wood in 1987. The genus contains three described species: A. comstocki, A. signata, and A. texana. Members are parasitoid flies, with A. texana documented as a parasitoid of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri. The genus belongs to the tribe Eryciini within the subfamily Exoristinae.
Acemya
Acemya is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus belongs to the tribe Acemyini within the subfamily Tachininae. It includes approximately 11 described species distributed across multiple continents. As with other tachinid genera, members are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific host relationships for most species remain poorly documented.
Achradocera arcuata
Achradocera arcuata is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1924. The species belongs to a New World genus revised in 2024, with confirmed records from western North America and the Hawaiian Islands. Like other dolichopodids, it possesses characteristically elongated legs and a streamlined body. The species was included in a comprehensive taxonomic revision that documented diagnostic morphological features and clarified its systematic position within the genus.
Acreophthiria
Acreophthiria is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, established by Evenhuis in 1986. It belongs to the subfamily Phthiriinae and tribe Phthiriini. The genus is known from the Neotropical region, with species documented primarily from Brazil. As with other bombyliids, members are likely parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Acridomyia
Acridomyia is a genus of flies in the family Anthomyiidae, established by Stackelberg in 1929. The genus is native to Eurasia and contains parasitic species that attack grasshoppers (Acrididae). A. sacharovi has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for grasshopper populations in North America.
Acrocera bakeri
Acrocera bakeri is a species of small-headed fly in the family Acroceridae, described by Coquillett in 1904. Species in this genus are endoparasitoids of spiders. The larvae seek out and enter spider hosts, feeding internally until mature, then exit to pupate. Acrocera is one of the most species-rich genera in Acroceridae in North America.
Acrocera obsoleta
Acrocera obsoleta is a species of small-headed fly in the family Acroceridae, a group of Diptera characterized by their notably reduced head size and distinctive humpbacked appearance. The species was described by Wulp in 1867. Like other members of the family, it is likely parasitoid in its larval stage, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented. The genus Acrocera is one of the more speciose genera within this small, morphologically unusual family.
Acrocera subfasciata
Acrocera subfasciata is a species of small-headed fly in the family Acroceridae, first described by Westwood in 1848. The species is currently accepted as valid by GBIF, though Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym. Like other members of its genus, it is an endoparasitoid of spiders. The species is known from the United States, with limited observational records.
Acroceridae
small-headed flies, hunch-back flies, spider flies
Acroceridae are a small family of approximately 520 species in 50 genera, characterized by their distinctive hump-backed thorax and disproportionately small head. Adults are primarily nectar feeders with exceptionally long proboscises, while larvae are obligate endoparasitoids of spiders. Many species exhibit bee or wasp mimicry. The family is cosmopolitan but nowhere abundant, with most species known from fewer than 10 specimens.
Acrosathe vanduzeei
Acrosathe vanduzeei is a species of stiletto fly in the family Therevidae. The genus Acrosathe belongs to the subfamily Therevinae, one of the most diverse lineages within the family. Stiletto flies are predatory as adults, typically hunting other insects, while their larvae are generally soil-dwelling predators or scavengers. The specific epithet vanduzeei honors the entomologist Edward P. Van Duzee.
Acrosathe vialis
Acrosathe vialis is a species of stiletto fly in the family Therevidae, described by Osten Sacken in 1877. Stiletto flies in this family are predatory as larvae and generally associated with sandy or loose soil habitats. The species is documented from a small number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
Acrotaeniini
Acrotaeniini fruit flies
Acrotaeniini is a tribe of tephritid fruit flies within the subfamily Tephritinae, established by Foote, Blanc & Norrbom in 1993. The tribe comprises eleven genera distributed primarily in the New World, including the well-known genus Tomoplagia. Members are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and are associated with various host plants. The tribe has been documented in at least 601 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate field recognition.
Actenoptera
Actenoptera is a genus of small flies in the family Piophilidae, established by Czerny in 1904. Members of this genus are part of the cheese skipper family, a group known for larval development in protein-rich substrates. The genus appears to be poorly studied, with limited published information on species diversity and biology.
Actina viridis
green soldier fly
Actina viridis is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. The species is distributed across northern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other soldier flies, it belongs to a family whose larvae typically develop in decaying organic matter, though specific life history details for this species remain poorly documented.
Admontia
Admontia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1889. The genus contains approximately 35 described species distributed across multiple continents. As members of the family Tachinidae, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations for most Admontia species remain poorly documented. The genus is classified within the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Blondeliini.
Adoxomyia subulata
Adoxomyia subulata is a soldier fly species in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Loew in 1866. It occurs in the United States. The genus Adoxomyia belongs to the subfamily Clitellariinae, a group known for often metallic coloration and distinctive body forms. Species-level biology of A. subulata remains poorly documented.
Adoxomyia tenuicornis
Adoxomyia tenuicornis is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, described by James in 1969. It belongs to the subfamily Clitellariinae, a group characterized by often metallic coloration and distinctive wing venation. The species epithet 'tenuicornis' (slender-horned) refers to its notably slender antennae. Like other members of the genus Adoxomyia, this species is part of a diverse lineage of stratiomyid flies found primarily in the Nearctic region.
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.
Agathon
Agathon is a genus of net-winged midges in the family Blephariceridae, established by Röder in 1890. These aquatic Diptera are characterized by their distinctive wing venation and are typically found in fast-flowing mountain streams. The genus has a broad distribution across the Holarctic and Oriental regions.
Agathon comstocki
Comstock's Net-winged Midge
Agathon comstocki is a species of net-winged midge in the family Blephariceridae, described by Kellogg in 1903. The common name honors the American entomologist John Henry Comstock. Net-winged midges in this family are specialized for life in fast-flowing aquatic environments, with larvae adapted to cling to rocks in turbulent water. The species is rarely encountered and poorly documented in scientific literature.
Agkistrocerus finitimus
Agkistrocerus finitimus is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Stone in 1938. It is a member of the diverse dipteran family known for blood-feeding females and aquatic or semi-aquatic larval development. The genus Agkistrocerus is relatively poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Agromyza
A genus of small flies in the family Agromyzidae. Adults are distinguished by stridulatory files on the first two abdominal tergites and halteres that are usually white or yellow. The genus is best known for its leaf-mining larvae, which feed internally on plant leaf tissue. Some species are minor agricultural pests of crops including corn and rice.
Agromyza alnibetulae
Agromyza alnibetulae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species is associated with alder (Alnus) and birch (Betula) host plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. Larvae create serpentine or blotch mines in leaves. Adults are small, typically 2-3 mm in length, with the reduced wing venation characteristic of the genus.
Agromyza alnivora
alder leafminer fly
Agromyza alnivora is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The species is associated with alder (Alnus) as its host plant, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus, the larvae create serpentine or blotch mines within leaf tissue. The species is documented from North America.
Agromyza ambrosivora
Agromyza ambrosivora is a leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The specific epithet "ambrosivora" suggests a potential association with Ambrosia (ragweed) or related plants, though this host relationship has not been definitively confirmed in published literature. The species is documented in entomological collections and databases, with 51 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Agromyza aprilina
Agromyza aprilina is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Malloch in 1915. As a member of this family, it is presumed to produce larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive mines. The species is accepted in current taxonomy but specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Agromyza deserta
Agromyza deserta is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Patton in 1897 under the basionym Cecidomyiaceltis deserta. The species belongs to the genus Agromyza, which contains numerous economically important leaf miners. As with other members of this family, the larvae are internal feeders that create distinctive mines within host plant leaves.
Agromyza diversa
Agromyza diversa is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Johnson in 1922. It belongs to a large genus of small flies whose larvae feed internally within plant leaves, creating distinctive serpentine or blotchy mines. The species has been recorded from the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Agromyza indistincta
Agromyza indistincta is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described in 2019 by Eiseman, Lonsdale, and Feldman. The specific epithet "indistincta" refers to the difficulty in distinguishing this species from related taxa based on external morphology alone. As a member of the large genus Agromyza, it belongs to a group of flies whose larvae create distinctive feeding trails (mines) within leaf tissue. The species is known from very few records.
Agromyza isolata
Agromyza isolata is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Malloch in 1913. The species belongs to a large genus of small flies whose larvae feed internally within plant leaf tissue, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines. As with most Agromyzidae, adults are minute to small in size. Specific host plant associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Agromyza parca
Agromyza parca is a small leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. Members of this genus are known for creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines in living leaf tissue of host plants. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Agromyza parvicornis
Corn Blotch Leafminer
A leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, primarily associated with corn (Zea mays) cultivation. The species creates distinctive blotch-shaped mines in host plant foliage. It is considered a minor and sporadic agricultural pest with limited economic impact. Documented from North American corn-growing regions and more recently recorded in Mexico.
Agromyza pudica
Agromyza pudica is a species of leaf-miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. As with other members of this large family, the larvae feed internally within plant leaves, creating distinctive mines. The species is poorly documented in the literature, with limited information available regarding its biology, host associations, or geographic distribution.
Agromyza sulfuriceps
Agromyza sulfuriceps is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species is known to create mines in leaves of Potentilla plants. It was described by Strobl in 1898 and is recorded from Scandinavia.
Agromyza vockerothi
Agromyza vockerothi is a leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and the United States. Larvae feed on brambles (Rubus).
Agromyzidae
leaf-miner flies, leaf miner flies
Agromyzidae is a large family of small flies comprising approximately 2,500 species worldwide. Adults are minute to small (0.9–6.5 mm), with distinctive head sclerotization patterns and reduced wing venation. The family derives its common name from the larval feeding habit: larvae are predominantly leaf miners that feed between the upper and lower epidermis of plant leaves, creating visible mines that are often species-specific in shape. Some species are significant agricultural pests, particularly in the genera Liriomyza, Phytomyza, and Ophiomyia.
Agromyzinae
mining flies, leaf-miner flies
Agromyzinae is a subfamily of small flies within the family Agromyzidae, commonly known as mining flies or leaf-miner flies. The subfamily was established by Fallén in 1823 and contains multiple genera including Agromyza, Japanagromyza, Melanagromyza, Ophiomyia, and Epidermomyia. Species in this subfamily are best known for their larval habit of feeding within plant tissues, creating distinctive mines in leaves, stems, or other plant parts. The subfamily has a global distribution with documented diversity in Europe, Asia, and other regions, with over 100 species confirmed from Ukraine alone and 13 species recorded from southern India.
Aldrichia auripuncta
Aldrichia auripuncta is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Painter in 1940. It is known from the northeastern United States. As a member of Bombyliidae, it likely exhibits the family-characteristic parasitoid lifestyle, though specific details for this species remain limited.
Aldrichiomyza
freeloader flies
Aldrichiomyza is a genus of freeloader flies in the family Milichiidae, established by Hendel in 1914. These flies are kleptoparasites, commonly found near predatory insects where they feed on captured prey. The genus contains six described species distributed across the Palearctic and Oriental regions. Aldrichiomyza species are characterized by their small size and association with other predatory arthropods.
Alliopsis
Alliopsis is a genus of root-maggot flies in the family Anthomyiidae, established by Schnabl and Dziedzicki in 1911. The genus contains at least 70 described species, though species-level taxonomy remains incompletely resolved. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized flies associated with soil and root habitats. The genus has been documented across northern Europe.
Allognosta fuscitarsis
Allognosta fuscitarsis is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1823 as Beris fuscitarsis. It belongs to the subfamily Beridinae, a group of soldier flies characterized by distinctive morphological features. The species has been documented through 45 observations on iNaturalist and is recognized in major taxonomic databases including GBIF and the Catalogue of Life.
Allograpta radiata
Y-shaped Streaktail
Allograpta radiata is a species of syrphid fly (family Syrphidae), commonly known as the Y-shaped Streaktail. Like other members of the genus Allograpta, it is a small flower fly that likely contributes to pollination as an adult and may have predatory larvae. The species has been recorded in Hawaii and the United States, though specific ecological details remain limited in published sources.