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
Copestylum mexicanum
Mexican Cactus Fly
Copestylum mexicanum, commonly known as the Mexican cactus fly, is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. The species is documented in the southwestern United States, with observations spanning multiple states including Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Adults have been observed visiting flowers, particularly those of pricklypear cacti (Opuntia species) and other desert flora. The species is part of a diverse assemblage of flower-visiting insects in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Copestylum opinator
Copestylum opinator is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) described by Williston in 1891. The species belongs to a genus whose members are commonly known as bromeliad flies, with some species exhibiting specialized associations with bromeliad plants. As with many Copestylum species, adults likely visit flowers for nectar and pollen. The species has been documented through limited observations, with 25 records on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Copestylum posticum
Copestylum posticum is a syrphid fly (family Syrphidae) described by Thomas Say in 1829. The species is documented from 39 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is recognized in field records though detailed biological information appears limited in publicly available sources. As a member of the genus Copestylum, it belongs to a group of hoverflies commonly known as bromeliad flies, with many species in this genus exhibiting associations with bromeliad plants. The specific epithet 'posticum' (Latin for 'posterior' or 'behind') may refer to a morphological feature, though this is not confirmed in available sources.
Copestylum tricinctum
Copestylum tricinctum is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, tribe Copestylini. The genus Copestylum contains approximately 60 species distributed primarily in the New World, with many species associated with flowers and rotting organic matter. The specific epithet 'tricinctum' refers to three bands or rings, likely describing abdominal patterning. This species is poorly documented in the literature, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Copestylum victoria
Victoria's bromeliad fly
Copestylum victoria is a species of syrphid fly (family Syrphidae) commonly known as Victoria's bromeliad fly. The species is named in association with bromeliads, suggesting a specialized ecological relationship with these plants. As a member of the hoverfly family, it likely participates in pollination and shares the characteristic hovering flight behavior typical of the group.
Copestylum violaceum
purple bromeliad fly
Copestylum violaceum, commonly known as the purple bromeliad fly, is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. The species is associated with bromeliad plants, as indicated by its common name. It belongs to a diverse genus of hoverflies found primarily in the Americas. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1829.
Cophura
Cophura is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Osten Sacken in 1887. The genus comprises at least 50 described species, with 54 species currently recognized. These predatory flies are part of the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae.
Cophura albosetosa
Cophura albosetosa is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hine in 1908. It is currently considered a synonym of Cophura scitula. The genus Cophura belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of predatory flies known for their agile flight and ambush hunting behavior. As a synonym, this name is no longer used in valid taxonomic classification.
Cophura arizonensis
Cophura arizonensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Schäffer in 1916. As a member of the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species epithet indicates an association with Arizona, suggesting this region as part of its core range. Robber flies in this genus are generally medium-sized predators that hunt from perches.
Cophura bella
Cophura bella is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hermann Loew in 1872. The species belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and is placed in the genus Cophura. Very little specific information has been published regarding its biology, ecology, or distribution. Records in iNaturalist indicate at least 12 observations of this species, suggesting it is documented in nature but not extensively studied.
Cophura brevicornis
Cophura brevicornis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Williston in 1883 under the basionym Taracticus brevicornis. The genus Cophura belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of predatory flies known for their robust build and aerial hunting abilities. This species is part of a diverse assemblage of Asilidae that occupy various habitats across North America.
Cophura dammersi
Cophura dammersi is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1965. As a member of the genus Cophura, it belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their robust build and predatory habits. The species appears to be poorly documented in public sources, with no observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the available data. Like other Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects.
Cophura daphne
Cophura daphne is a species of robber fly described by Pritchard in 1943. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae within the family Asilidae, a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species is accepted in taxonomic databases but appears to have minimal observational records.
Cophura fergusoni
Cophura fergusoni is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1965. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and is one of multiple species within the genus Cophura. As a member of the Asilidae, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific details of its biology remain undocumented in available sources.
Cophura hesperia
Cophura hesperia is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Pritchard in 1935. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group characterized by relatively short antennae and often subdued coloration compared to other asilid subfamilies. The genus Cophura is distributed across western North America, with species typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats.
Cophura powersi
Cophura powersi is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1965. The species was named in honor of entomologist Jack Powers, who collected the type specimens in the Dakotas. It belongs to a genus of robber flies that are primarily found in western North America.
Cophura trunca
Cophura trunca is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Coquillett in 1893. As with other members of the Asilidae, it is a predatory fly that hunts other insects. The specific epithet 'trunca' refers to a truncated or cut-off feature, likely describing some morphological characteristic of the species.
Cophura vanduzeei
Cophura vanduzeei is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. The species was described by Wilcox in 1965 and belongs to the genus Cophura, which is part of a diverse lineage of predatory flies. Robber flies are known for their predatory behavior and are important components of insect communities in various habitats.
Cophura vandykei
Cophura vandykei is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1965. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. Robber flies are predatory dipterans known for their agile flight and ability to capture other insects in mid-air. The species epithet honors the entomologist H.H. Van Dyke.
Cophura vera
Cophura vera is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. It was described by Pritchard in 1935. As with other robber flies, it is a predatory insect that likely hunts other arthropods. The genus Cophura contains multiple species distributed primarily in North America.
Cophura vitripennis
Cophura vitripennis is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) in the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, originally described by Charles Howard Curran in 1927. The species epithet 'vitripennis' (Latin for 'glass-winged') refers to the transparent or hyaline wing condition. As with other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the available literature. The genus Cophura is part of the diverse robber fly fauna of the Americas.
Copromyza
lesser dung flies
Copromyza is a genus of small flies in the family Sphaeroceridae, commonly known as lesser dung flies. The genus was established by Fallén in 1810 and currently contains 11 described species. Members of this genus are associated with decaying organic matter and dung. The genus is classified within the subfamily Copromyzinae.
Copromyza equina
Copromyza equina is a small dung fly in the family Sphaeroceridae, commonly known as lesser dung flies. The species was described by Fallén in 1820 and has been recorded from several islands in the Azores archipelago. Sphaeroceridae are among the most species-rich families of Diptera, with members typically associated with decaying organic matter.
Copromyza neglecta
lesser dung fly
Copromyza neglecta is a species of lesser dung fly in the family Sphaeroceridae. It is found in Europe, with confirmed records from Norway and Sweden. Like other members of this family, it is associated with dung and decomposing organic matter. The species was described by Malloch in 1913.
Cordilura confusa
Cordilura confusa is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Loew in 1863. The genus Cordilura comprises flies commonly associated with wetland and riparian habitats. As with other members of Scathophagidae, adults are predatory. The species name "confusa" suggests historical taxonomic uncertainty, though specific details about the nature of this confusion are not documented in available sources.
Cordilura intermedia
Cordilura intermedia is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Curran in 1927. Members of this genus are associated with moist, organic-rich habitats where their larvae develop. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist. Like other scathophagid flies, it likely plays a role in nutrient cycling through decomposition processes.
Cordilura luteola
Cordilura luteola is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Malloch in 1924. The genus Cordilura comprises flies typically associated with wetland and riparian habitats where their larvae develop in decaying organic matter. As a member of the Scathophagidae, this species is part of a family whose common name "dung flies" reflects the larval habit of developing in animal feces and other decomposing substrates, though many species also utilize decaying plant matter and algae in moist environments.
Cordilura munda
Cordilura munda is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Friedrich Hermann Loew in 1870. The species belongs to the tribe Cordilurini within the subfamily Scathophaginae. As a member of this family, it is associated with dung and decaying organic matter habitats. Specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Cordilura proboscidea
Cordilura proboscidea is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, first described by Zetterstedt in 1838. The genus Cordilura belongs to the tribe Cordilurini within the subfamily Scathophaginae. Members of this family are commonly known as dung flies due to their frequent association with dung and other decaying organic matter. Distribution records indicate presence in Norway and Sweden.
Cordilura scapularis
Cordilura scapularis is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, a group of flies commonly known as yellow dung flies or dung flies. The species was described by Loew in 1870. Like other members of Scathophagidae, this species is associated with dung and other decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Cordilura setosa
Cordilura setosa is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, described by Loew in 1860. Members of this family are commonly known as dung flies due to their frequent association with dung and other decaying organic matter. The specific epithet "setosa" refers to the setose (bristly) nature of this species. As with other scathophagids, adults are likely predatory or feed on nectar, while larvae develop in decomposing substrates.
Cordyligaster septentrionalis
Cordyligaster septentrionalis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by Townsend in 1909. It is recorded from North America, with observational data indicating presence across the United States. As a tachinid fly, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented in the available literature.
Corynoneura lobata
Corynoneura lobata is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae, subfamily Orthocladiinae. First described by Edwards in 1924, this species belongs to a genus of small chironomids characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive genitalic structures. The genus Corynoneura is taxonomically complex, with numerous species described from multiple biogeographic regions. C. lobata has documented distribution records in northern Europe.
Corynoptera
fungus gnats
Corynoptera is a genus of fungus gnats in the family Sciaridae, comprising approximately 123 described species in the Holarctic region. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with 50 new species described in a 2010 review and numerous nomenclatural changes including restored valid species and new synonymies. Species occur across Europe, Asia, and North America, with records extending to Nepal, Morocco, and Sri Lanka.
Cosmariomyia pallidipennis
Cosmariomyia pallidipennis is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. The species was described by Williston in 1901. It belongs to the subfamily Pachygastrinae, a group of small to minute soldier flies often associated with decaying organic matter. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Cratotocha ampliata
Cratotocha ampliata is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Plakidas in 2017. It was originally described as Anaretella ampliata and later transferred to the genus Cratotocha. As a member of the subfamily Lestremiinae, it belongs to a group of cecidomyiids whose larvae typically develop in association with fungi or decaying organic matter rather than forming plant galls. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Anaretella ampliata in some taxonomic databases.
Cricotopus bicinctus
Cricotopus bicinctus is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae, first described by Meigen in 1818. The species is distributed across the Palearctic region, with documented records from northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as well as Madeira Island and Hawaii. It belongs to the genus Cricotopus, a diverse group of chironomid midges commonly found in aquatic and semi-aquatic environments. The species is one of many in a genus that includes both aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults.
Criorhina aurea
Criorhina aurea is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) described by Lovett in 1919. It belongs to the tribe Milesiini within the subfamily Eristalinae. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As with other members of the genus Criorhina, it likely exhibits bumblebee mimicry, a common trait among hoverflies in this group.
Criorhina caudata
Red-tailed Bumblefly
Criorhina caudata is a hoverfly species in the family Syrphidae, described by Curran in 1925. It is commonly known as the Red-tailed Bumblefly. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Criorhina, it exhibits bumblebee mimicry as a defensive adaptation.
Criorhina coquilletti
Coquillett's Bumble Fly
Criorhina coquilletti is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) known as Coquillett's Bumble Fly. The genus Criorhina belongs to the tribe Milesiini within the subfamily Eristalinae. Hoverflies in this genus are recognized for their bumble bee mimicry, a form of Batesian mimicry that provides protection from predators. The species was described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1892.
Criorhina fusca
Dusky Yellowjacket Fly
Criorhina fusca is a hoverfly species in the family Syrphidae, described by Weisman in 1964. It is known from the United States. The species belongs to a genus whose members are notable for their mimicry of yellowjacket wasps (Vespula spp.), a form of Batesian mimicry that provides protection from predators. As with other Criorhina species, adults are likely pollinators that visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Criorhina nasica
Black-backed Yellowjacket Fly
Criorhina nasica is a hoverfly species in the family Syrphidae, first described from North America in 1908. The species is known from limited observations and appears to be uncommon or underreported. It belongs to a genus characterized by bumble bee-mimicry, though specific morphological details for this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Criorhina tricolor
Tricoloured Bumblefly
Criorhina tricolor is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as the Tricoloured Bumblefly. It is a bumble bee mimic, resembling species in the genus Bombus. The species was described by Coquillett in 1900 and is found in North America.
Criorhina verbosa
Hairy-cheeked Bumble Fly
Criorhina verbosa is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) commonly known as the Hairy-cheeked Bumble Fly. It belongs to the tribe Milesiini and is part of a genus whose members are notable bumblebee mimics. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1849 under the basionym Milesia verbosa.
Cryptochetum
Cryptochetum is a genus of parasitoid flies in the family Cryptochetidae, containing more than 30 described species. These flies are specialized parasites of scale insects (Hemiptera), with at least one species, C. jorgepastori, documented as emerging from mealybugs on palms. The genus has been recorded across multiple regions, including a first record from Jordan in 2022.
Cryptochetum iceryae
cottony cushion scale parasite, cottony cushion scale parasitoid
Cryptochetum iceryae is a parasitic fly in the family Cryptochetidae, native to Australia. It was deliberately introduced to California in the 1880s as a biological control agent against the cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi), a major pest of citrus crops. The species has since been introduced to Israel and South America for similar purposes. In 2019, it was discovered in the United Kingdom for the first time, identified in the wildlife garden at the Natural History Museum in London.
biological-controlparasitoidagricultural-pest-managementDipteraCryptochetidaeclassical-biological-controlcitrus-pestinvasive-species-managementAustralia-native1880s-introductionCaliforniaIsraelSouth-AmericaUnited-Kingdom-2019-discoveryNatural-History-Museum-Londonscale-insect-parasiteendoparasitoidIcerya-purchasicottony-cushion-scalesuccessful-biocontrolintegrated-pest-managementvedalia-beetle-complementWilliston-1888Lestophonus-iceryaeCryptomeigenia dubia
Cryptomeigenia dubia is a species of tachinid fly described by Curran in 1926. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly whose larvae develop inside other insects. The genus Cryptomeigenia belongs to the tribe Blondeliini within the subfamily Exoristinae. Records indicate its presence in North America, though detailed biological information appears limited.
Cryptomeigenia illinoiensis
Cryptomeigenia illinoiensis is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. The species was described by Townsend in 1892 and is currently accepted in taxonomic databases. As a member of the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Blondeliini, it belongs to a group of parasitoid flies that develop in or on other insects. The genus Cryptomeigenia contains species that are known parasitoids of various insect hosts.
Cryptotreta
Cryptotreta is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Blanc & Foote in 1961. It belongs to the tribe Eutretini within the subfamily Tephritinae. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited observational records.
Ctenodactylomyia watsoni
Sea Grape Gall Midge
Ctenodactylomyia watsoni is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, commonly known as the Sea Grape Gall Midge. It induces galls on sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), a coastal shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The species is well-documented through iNaturalist observations, with over 790 records, indicating it is relatively common and readily observed by naturalists in its range. As a gall-forming insect, it manipulates host plant tissue to create protected structures for larval development.