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
Clusiodes ater
Clusiodes ater is a species of fly in the family Clusiidae, a group commonly known as druid flies or clusiid flies. The species was described by Melander and Argo in 1924. Clusiidae are small to medium-sized flies typically associated with forest habitats, where larvae develop in decaying wood and adults are often found on tree trunks and foliage.
Clusiodes caestus
Clusiodes caestus is a species of fly in the family Clusiidae, described by Caloren and Marshall in 1998. Members of this family are small to medium-sized flies commonly associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats in forest ecosystems. The species is known from limited observations, with only one documented record on iNaturalist.
Clytocerus
Clytocerus is a genus of moth flies in the family Psychodidae, established by Eaton in 1904. The genus contains at least three described species: C. americanus, C. ocellaris, and C. tetracorniculatus. Records indicate presence in Europe and Southern Africa, with confirmed distribution records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Cnodacophora nasoni
Cnodacophora nasoni is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, originally described as Calobata nasoni by Cresson in 1914. Members of this family are characterized by their elongated legs and slender bodies. The species is known from limited observations in North America, with records from the Kansas City metro area during citizen science events.
Coelopa vanduzeei
kelp fly
Coelopa vanduzeei is a species of kelp fly in the family Coelopidae, a group of flies specialized for life in coastal environments. Like other members of this family, it is associated with decaying marine vegetation. The species was described by Cresson in 1914.
Coelopina
kelp flies
Coelopina is a genus of kelp flies in the family Coelopidae, established by Malloch in 1933. The genus contains at least one described species, Coelopina anomala. Kelp flies in this family are generally associated with decaying seaweed and marine coastal environments. Very few observations of this genus exist in biodiversity databases.
Coelotanypus tricolor
Coelotanypus tricolor is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae, subfamily Tanypodinae. It belongs to the tribe Coelotanypodini and was first described by Loew in 1861. As a member of the Tanypodinae, it is classified among the predatory midges rather than the filter-feeding Chironominae. The species epithet 'tricolor' suggests a three-colored appearance, though specific color pattern details are not well documented in available sources.
Coenia
Coenia is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains at least six described species distributed across parts of Europe and North America. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, including margins of water bodies and moist substrates.
Coenia curvicauda
shore fly
Coenia curvicauda is a species of shore fly in the family Ephydridae. The species was first described by Meigen in 1830, originally placed in the genus Ephydra. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Coenomyia
stink fly
Coenomyia is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae, commonly known as "stink flies." The genus contains at least four described species, including the widespread Coenomyia ferruginea. These flies are characterized by their large size, brown coloration, and slow, clumsy movements. The family name Xylophagidae derives from Greek roots meaning "wood-eating," reflecting the larval habitat in dead and decaying wood where they prey on wood-boring beetle larvae.
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).
Coenosia
Tiger Flies
Coenosia is a large genus of predatory muscid flies comprising more than 350 species. Members are commonly known as tiger flies due to their active hunting behavior. They are documented from multiple continents including Europe, Asia, and North America. Some species serve as hosts for entomopathogenic fungi in the genus Strongwellsea, which exhibit unusual extended-host survival during infection.
Coenosia humilis
tiger fly
Coenosia humilis is a predatory muscid fly commonly known as the tiger fly. It is an active predator of small flying insects, particularly agromyzid leafminers, and has been studied as a biological control agent in agricultural systems. The species is native to Europe but has been recorded in multiple regions including Indonesia and the North Atlantic islands. It exhibits distinct daily activity patterns with peak hunting during morning and afternoon hours.
Coenosia intacta
Coenosia intacta is a species of muscid fly in the subfamily Coenosiinae, described by Francis Walker in 1853. Members of the genus Coenosia are predatory flies commonly known as "tiger flies" due to their predatory habits. The species is part of a diverse group of muscids that exhibit predatory behavior as adults, primarily feeding on other small insects. Specific biological details for C. intacta remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Coenosiini
Coenosiini is a tribe of muscid flies (Diptera: Muscidae) comprising approximately 22 genera distributed worldwide. The tribe is taxonomically active, with new genera and species continuing to be described. Members are generally small to medium-sized flies with ecological roles that remain poorly documented for most taxa.
Coleomyia rainieri
Coleomyia rainieri is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox & Martin in 1935. The genus Coleomyia is a small group within the diverse Asilidae, which are predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. No specific ecological or behavioral studies have been documented for this species.
Coleomyia rubida
Coleomyia rubida is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Martin in 1953. The genus Coleomyia belongs to the diverse asilid lineage of predatory flies, commonly known as robber flies for their aggressive hunting behavior. As with other members of this family, C. rubida likely exhibits the characteristic aerial predation and strong flying ability typical of the group. The specific epithet 'rubida' suggests reddish coloration, though this has not been independently verified.
Coleomyia setigera
Coleomyia setigera is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the order Diptera. The species was originally described as Metapogon setigerum by Cole in 1919 before being transferred to the genus Coleomyia. As a member of the Asilidae family, it is a predatory fly. The species has been documented through a limited number of observations (15 records in iNaturalist as of source date).
Colobaea americana
marsh fly
Colobaea americana is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1954. Marsh flies in this family are typically associated with wetland habitats. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Very little specific information has been published regarding the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Colobostema variatum
Colobostema variatum is a species of minute black scavenger fly in the family Scatopsidae, described by Cook in 1956. The genus Colobostema belongs to the tribe Scatopsini and comprises small, dark-colored flies often associated with decaying organic matter. Little species-specific information has been published for C. variatum.
Comantella pacifica
Comantella pacifica is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Curran in 1926. It is one of four recognized species in the genus Comantella, which is characterized by unusual seasonal activity patterns and distinctive morphological features. The species is found in western North America from British Columbia south to Nevada and Utah. Adults are active in early spring and late fall, an unusual pattern among robber flies.
Compsobata
stilt-legged flies
Compsobata is a genus of stilt-legged flies in the family Micropezidae, established by Czerny in 1930. The genus contains at least 20 described species. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated legs, a trait common to the family Micropezidae. The immature stages and biology of at least one species, C. univitta, have been described in taxonomic literature.
Compsobata kennicotti
Compsobata kennicotti is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, first described by Banks in 1926. The species was originally placed in the genus Calboata before being transferred to Compsobata. Micropezidae flies are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive posture. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Compsobata mima
Compsobata mima is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae. It was originally described as Trepidaria mima by Hennig in 1936 before being transferred to the genus Compsobata. The species is known from limited observations, with only two records documented on iNaturalist. As a member of the Micropezidae, it belongs to a family characterized by elongated legs and distinctive wing-raising behavior.
Compsobata univitta
Compsobata univitta is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, subfamily Calobatinae. The species was described by Walker in 1849. Stilt-legged flies are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive posture. The genus Compsobata belongs to a group of flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter and forest floor habitats.
Conarete
Conarete is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Cecidomyiidae, established by Arthur Earl Pritchard in 1951. The genus comprises 13 described species distributed across Asia and North America. As members of the subfamily Lestremiinae, these midges are part of a diverse group of gall midges and relatives. The genus includes species originally described under other genera, with several transferred from related taxa.
Condylostylus calcaratus
long-legged fly
Condylostylus calcaratus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Loew in 1861. Members of this genus are commonly encountered in gardens and along forest edges, where they are active predators on small insects. The family Dolichopodidae is among the most diverse families of Diptera, with nearly 60 genera and approximately 1,300 species in North America north of Mexico alone.
Condylostylus occidentalis
Condylostylus occidentalis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It is a small, predatory fly typically found in gardens, forest edges, and similar sunny habitats. The species exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration and elongated legs typical of its genus. Like other dolichopodids, it is known to be an active predator of other small insects.
Condylostylus purpureus
A small predatory fly in the family Dolichopodidae, characterized by metallic coloration and exceptionally long legs. As with most members of this diverse family, adults are active predators on other small insects. The species epithet "purpureus" suggests purple coloration, though specific descriptions of this species are limited in available sources. Condylostylus species are typically encountered in gardens, along forest edges, and similar sunny habitats where they dart over vegetation.
Condylostylus scaber
long-legged fly
Condylostylus scaber is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. These small, metallic flies are active predators of other small insects. The genus Condylostylus includes species commonly observed in gardens and forest edges across North America. Like other dolichopodids, they are known for their agility and rapid, darting flight patterns.
Coniceps niger
Coniceps niger is a species of fly in the family Richardiidae, first described by Loew in 1873. The Richardiidae are a small family of acalyptrate flies within the order Diptera, often associated with decaying plant material and fungi. Very little specific information has been published about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
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.
Conophorini
bee flies
Conophorini is a tribe of bee flies within the family Bombyliidae, established by Becker in 1913. The tribe comprises at least 30 described species distributed across four genera: Aldrichia, Conophorina, Conophorus, and Sparnopolius. Members of this tribe are parasitoid flies whose larvae develop in the nests of solitary bees and wasps. Conophorini species are found primarily in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions.
Conophorus
bee flies
Conophorus is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) containing at least 67 described species worldwide, with 16 species recorded from the United States. These dipterans are parasitoids, with larvae developing in the nests of other insects. The genus is taxonomically established under Meigen, 1803, and is classified within the tribe Conophorini.
Conophorus collini
Conophorus collini is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, described by Priddy in 1958. The species belongs to the genus Conophorus, which is classified within the tribe Conophorini. As with other bee flies, it is a member of the order Diptera, characterized by having a single pair of functional wings. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in taxonomic databases.
Conophorus fallax
Conophorus fallax is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It is distributed across western North America, from the Yukon and Saskatchewan in Canada southward through the United States to New Mexico and California. Like other members of the genus Conophorus, this species likely exhibits the characteristic bee fly morphology with a humpbacked thorax and elongated proboscis.
Conopidae
Thick-headed Flies
Conopidae, commonly known as thick-headed flies, is a family of flies within the Brachycera suborder of Diptera and the sole member of the superfamily Conopoidea. The family comprises approximately 800 species in 47 genera worldwide, with about 70 species found in North America. Adult conopids are frequent flower visitors, feeding on nectar with their often elongated proboscis. The larvae of all conopids are internal parasitoids, primarily of aculeate Hymenoptera (stinging wasps and bees), with adult females aggressively intercepting hosts in flight to deposit eggs.
Conopinae
thick-headed flies
Conopinae is a subfamily of flies within the family Conopidae, commonly known as thick-headed flies. Members are characterized by their distinctive head shape, with a broad, inflated frons that gives the group its common name. The subfamily includes two tribes: Conopini (genera Conops and Leopoldius) and Physocephalini (genera Physocephala and Physoconops). These flies are known for their parasitoid life history, with females attacking various hymenopteran hosts.
Contarinia coloradensis
Contarinia coloradensis is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Felt in 1912. As a member of the genus Contarinia, it is part of a diverse group of small flies known for inducing galls on plants. Very little specific information has been documented about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description.
Contarinia undescribed-species-on-boxelder
An undescribed species of gall midge in the genus Contarinia associated with boxelder (Acer negundo). As a member of the family Cecidomyiidae, this species likely forms galls or induces other plant growth abnormalities during larval development, though formal taxonomic description remains pending. The specific epithet reflects its documented association with this host plant rather than a formally published species name.
Contarinia virginianiae
chokecherry midge, chokecherry gall midge
Contarinia virginianiae is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces galls on chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). The larvae feed on developing fruit, causing enlargement and hollowing of the fruit into a pear-shaped gall. The species was described by Felt in 1906 and occurs in northern North America where its host plant is native.
Cooka
Cooka is a genus of minute black scavenger flies (family Scatopsidae) described by Amorim in 2007. It belongs to the tribe Swammerdamellini within the subfamily Scatopsinae. Members of this genus are small, dark-colored flies associated with decaying organic matter. The genus was established relatively recently, and its species remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Copestylum apiciferum
Copestylum apiciferum is a species of syrphid fly in the hoverfly family Syrphidae. It belongs to a diverse genus of neotropical and nearctic flower-visiting flies commonly known as bromeliad flies. The species has been documented in 541 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-observed among syrphid enthusiasts. As with other members of its genus, adults likely visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Copestylum comstocki
Comstock's Bromeliad Fly
Copestylum comstocki, commonly known as Comstock's bromeliad fly, is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae. The species is native to south-central North America. As a member of the genus Copestylum, it is associated with bromeliad plants, which serve as breeding sites. The larvae develop in the water-holding leaf axils of bromeliads, a habitat specialization characteristic of this genus. Adult flies are likely flower visitors like other syrphid species, though specific floral associations remain poorly documented.
Copestylum florida
Florida bromeliad fly
Copestylum florida is a syrphid fly species commonly known as the Florida bromeliad fly. It belongs to the genus Copestylum, a group of flies associated with bromeliad plants. The species has been documented in Florida and the Carolinas.
Copestylum fraudulentum
Copestylum fraudulentum is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae. It belongs to a genus of bromeliad-associated flies primarily found in the Americas. The species was described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1891. Like other members of Copestylum, adults are likely associated with flowers and may exhibit mimicry of bees or wasps, a common trait in the Syrphidae family. The larvae of related species are known to develop in bromeliad phytotelmata, though specific larval biology for C. fraudulentum has not been documented.
Copestylum isabellina
Isabelle's bromeliad fly
Copestylum isabellina, commonly known as Isabelle's bromeliad fly, is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. The species has been documented in southwestern North America. As a member of the genus Copestylum, it belongs to a group commonly referred to as bromeliad flies, which are typically associated with bromeliad plants. The species is known from 784 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is moderately well-documented by citizen scientists.
Copestylum macrocephalum
Copestylum macrocephalum is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. It has been documented from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, specifically from California, Arizona, and Baja California. As a member of the hoverfly family, it likely participates in pollination services, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Copestylum marginatum
Syrphid fly
Copestylum marginatum is a species of syrphid fly (hoverfly) in the family Syrphidae. It has been documented in Southwestern North America, with over 3,500 observations recorded on iNaturalist. As a member of the diverse syrphid family, it likely participates in pollination services, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.