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
Diclasiopa
Diclasiopa is a genus of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) established by Friedrich Hendel in 1917. The genus is poorly documented in the literature, with limited species-level information available. Records indicate presence in northern Europe (Norway, Sweden) and minimal observational data (19 iNaturalist records). As with other ephydrids, members likely inhabit moist or aquatic environments, though specific ecological details remain unverified.
Dicolonus
Dicolonus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Loew in 1866. The genus contains approximately five described species distributed across North America and parts of Asia. As members of Asilidae, species in this genus are predatory flies that capture other insects in flight. The genus is relatively small and understudied compared to other asilid genera.
Dicolonus simplex
Dicolonus simplex is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Loew in 1866. As a member of the Diptera order, it possesses a single pair of functional wings with the hindwings reduced to halteres. Robber flies in the genus Dicolonus are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.
Dicranoclista fasciata
Dicranoclista fasciata is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Johnson & Johnson in 1960. It belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Anthracini. The species is documented from the western United States and adjacent Canada, with records spanning from Arizona northward to Washington and British Columbia. As with other bee flies, adults likely function as pollinators and larvae are presumed parasitoids, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Dicranoptycha
Dicranoptycha is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae, established by Osten Sacken in 1860. These insects belong to the diverse limoniid crane fly radiation, which are generally smaller and more delicate than the more familiar tipulid crane flies. The genus has been documented from parts of northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Dicranoptycha elsa
Dicranoptycha elsa is a species of limoniid crane fly in the family Limoniidae, first described by Alexander & Alexander in 1929. It belongs to a large genus of crane flies characterized by distinctive morphological features. The species occurs in eastern North America with a range extending from southern Canada to the southeastern United States.
Dicranus
Dicranus is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Hermann Loew in 1851. Members of this genus are predatory flies that capture other insects in flight. The genus is relatively small and poorly documented compared to other asilid genera, with limited published information on species-level diversity and biology.
Dicrodiplosis californica
mealybug-destroying predaceous gall midge
Dicrodiplosis californica is a species of predaceous gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Felt in 1912. The common name 'mealybug-destroying predaceous gall midge' indicates its role as a biological control agent targeting mealybugs. As a member of the genus Dicrodiplosis, it belongs to a group of predatory gall midges rather than the gall-forming majority in this family.
Dicropaltum
Dicropaltum is a genus of robber flies established by Martin in 1975. The genus contains six described species distributed in the Americas. These predatory flies belong to the tribe Asilini within the subfamily Asilinae.
Dicropaltum humilis
Dicropaltum humilis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Bellardi in 1861. As a member of this predatory fly family, it likely exhibits the characteristic hunting behavior of asilids, capturing other insects in flight. The genus Dicropaltum is recognized in robber fly taxonomy, though detailed species-level documentation appears limited in available sources.
Dicropaltum mesae
Dicropaltum mesae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described as Tolmerus mesae by Tucker in 1907. It belongs to the genus Dicropaltum, a group of predatory flies within the subfamily Asilinae. The species is documented through limited observation records, with 15 observations on iNaturalist. Robber flies in this genus are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.
Dicropaltum rubicundus
Dicropaltum rubicundus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was described by Hine in 1909. Robber flies in this family are characterized by their stout bodies, large eyes, and strong legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. Very few specific details about the biology or ecology of D. rubicundus have been documented in available sources.
Dictya atlantica
marsh fly
Dictya atlantica is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1954. The species epithet 'atlantica' suggests a connection to the Atlantic region, though specific geographic details remain limited. As a member of Sciomyzidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies, many of which have aquatic or semi-aquatic larval stages.
Dictya expansa
Dictya expansa is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Steyskal in 1938. The genus Dictya belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. Marsh flies in this family are typically associated with wetland habitats. The species is known from limited observations, with only two records documented in iNaturalist.
Dictya texensis
Dictya texensis is a species of marsh fly (family Sciomyzidae) described by Curran in 1932. Members of the genus Dictya are recognized by their distinctive wing venation patterns. The family Sciomyzidae comprises predatory or parasitic flies whose larvae typically develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic snails. This species is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Didea fuscipes
Undivided Lucent
Didea fuscipes is a species of hoverfly (Syrphidae) in the tribe Syrphini. It is commonly known as the Undivided Lucent. As a member of the genus Didea, it shares the characteristic broad, somewhat flattened abdomen typical of this group. The species was described by Loew in 1863. Observations of this species are documented in North America, including Vermont in the United States.
Diglyphosematini
Diglyphosematini is a tribe of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) within the subfamily Cecidomyiinae. The tribe is characterized by specific morphological features of the antennae and genitalia, distinguishing it from related tribes in the same subfamily. Members are associated with plant galls, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented for many taxa. The tribe was established based on phylogenetic and morphological studies of the family Cecidomyiidae.
Dilophus
March flies
Dilophus is a genus of march flies (Diptera: Bibionidae) comprising at least 200 described species. The genus is distinguished from the related genus Bibio by morphological features of the fore legs. Species occur across multiple continents including North America, Europe, and the Afrotropical region. Adults are typically small to medium-sized flies, often reddish in coloration rather than black.
Dilophus occipitalis
Dilophus occipitalis is a species of March fly in the family Bibionidae. It is a true fly (Diptera) and belongs to a genus commonly known as March flies or lovebugs. The species was described by Coquillett in 1904.
Dilophus serotinus
March fly
Dilophus serotinus is a species of march fly in the family Bibionidae, first described by Loew in 1861. Like other members of the genus Dilophus, adults are typically smaller and less robust than related Bibio species, often with reddish coloration. The genus is characterized by a ring of shorter teeth on the front legs rather than the long spurs found in Bibio. As with other bibionids, larvae develop in soil and feed on decaying organic matter.
Dilophus spinipes
Dilophus spinipes is a species of march fly in the family Bibionidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1823. The genus Dilophus is distinguished from the related genus Bibio by having a ring of shorter teeth on the forelegs rather than long spurs. Members of this genus are typically smaller and less robust than Bibio, often with reddish coloration. Like other bibionids, adults are short-lived and emerge in large numbers during spring months.
Dilophus strigilatus
March fly
Dilophus strigilatus is a species of march fly in the family Bibionidae, first described by McAtee in 1922. Like other Dilophus species, it belongs to a genus distinguished from the related Bibio by having a ring of shorter teeth on the fore tibiae rather than long spurs. Adults emerge in spring and are typically smaller and less robust than Bibio species, often with reddish coloration.
Dilophus tibialis
Dilophus tibialis is a species of march fly in the family Bibionidae. It is one of approximately 15-18 Dilophus species recognized in North America north of Mexico. The genus Dilophus is distinguished from the similar genus Bibio by having a ring of shorter teeth on the tibiae rather than long spurs. Species in this genus are typically smaller and less robust than Bibio, and often exhibit reddish coloration rather than black.
Dilophus tingi
March fly
Dilophus tingi is a species of March fly in the family Bibionidae. Like other members of the genus Dilophus, it is likely smaller and less robust than the related genus Bibio, and frequently exhibits reddish coloration. March flies are spring-emerging dipterans known for their swarming behavior and fossorial egg-laying habits.
Dimecoenia
shore flies
Dimecoenia is a genus of shore flies established by Cresson in 1916, comprising approximately 18 described species. Members of this genus belong to the family Ephydridae, a diverse group of small flies commonly associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The genus is characterized by morphological features typical of ephydrid flies, though specific diagnostic traits distinguishing Dimecoenia from related genera require detailed examination.
Diogmites coloradensis
A species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, Diogmites coloradensis belongs to the genus Diogmites, commonly known as 'hanging thieves' for their distinctive predatory behavior. The species was described by James in 1933 and is classified within the subfamily Dasypogoninae. Like other members of this genus, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects.
Diogmites esuriens
Short-striped Hanging Thief
Diogmites esuriens is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Short-striped Hanging Thief. The genus Diogmites is notable for the distinctive 'hanging' behavior of its members, which often dangle from their front or middle legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. This species was described by Bromley in 1936 and belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae.
Diogmites herennius
hanging thief robber fly
Diogmites herennius is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as a 'hanging thief' for its distinctive habit of suspending from vegetation by its front legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. The species belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and is one of approximately 26 species in the genus Diogmites, which occurs primarily in the New World tropics and subtropics. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated bodies, long legs, and predatory behavior.
Diogmites missouriensis
Diogmites missouriensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Bromley in 1951. Robber flies in this genus are known for their distinctive hanging behavior, often perching with their forelegs raised and body suspended from vegetation. The specific epithet missouriensis indicates a connection to the state of Missouri, though the exact geographic implications of this naming are not documented in available sources. As with other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be an active aerial predator.
Diogmites perplexus
Diogmites platypterus
Black Hanging Thief
Diogmites platypterus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Black Hanging Thief. Like other members of the genus Diogmites, it is known for its distinctive hunting behavior of swinging from its front or middle legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. The species is part of a diverse group of predatory flies that are important components of insect communities across North America.
Diogmites sallei
Diogmites sallei is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. Members of the genus Diogmites are known as "hanging thieves" for their distinctive behavior of swinging from their front or middle legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. The species was originally described as Dasypogon sallei by Bellardi in 1861. Robber flies in this genus are recognized for their large size and striking green eyes.
Diogmites salutans
Hanging Thief
Diogmites salutans is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, characterized by its distinctive 'hanging thief' behavior where it suspends itself by its front legs while manipulating prey with the remaining legs. The species was described by Bromley in 1936 and belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae. Like other members of the genus Diogmites, it is an aerial predator of other insects.
Diogmites ternatus
Diogmites ternatus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior and wasp-like appearance. The genus Diogmites includes species commonly referred to as 'hanging thieves' due to their characteristic behavior of suspending themselves from vegetation by their forelegs while feeding on captured prey. As with other members of the Dasypogoninae subfamily, D. ternatus likely exhibits the robust body form and strong predatory adaptations typical of this lineage.
Diogmites texanus
Diogmites texanus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1934. As a member of the genus Diogmites, it belongs to a group known for large size and striking appearance, often featuring vivid coloration or prominent green eyes. The species is poorly documented in available sources, with most information limited to taxonomic classification rather than detailed natural history.
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.
Diplonevra
A genus of scuttle flies in the family Phoridae, established by Lioy in 1864. The genus contains at least eight described species, with recent taxonomic work in South Korea recognizing eight species including three new to science. Species have been recorded across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Diplonevra nitidula
Diplonevra nitidula is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae. It belongs to the subfamily Aenigmatiinae, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and often associated with ant colonies. The species was first described by Meigen in 1830 under the basionym Phora nitidula. Records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
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.
Discomyza
Discomyza is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, first described by Meigen in 1830. The genus includes at least nine described species distributed across multiple continents. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with moist or aquatic habitats. Discomyza species have been recorded from Europe, Africa, and other regions.
Discomyza incurva
Discomyza incurva is a small shore fly in the family Ephydridae, measuring 2.5–3 mm in length. It is distributed across the Palearctic region, including Europe (particularly southern Europe), North Africa, and parts of western Asia. The species is active during summer months, with records from July through September. It inhabits grassland habitats and has been documented as a parasite of land snails in the genus Helix.
Distichona kansensis
Distichona kansensis is a species of tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) described by Townsend in 1892. Originally described as Olenochaeta kansensis, it was later transferred to the genus Distichona. The species is native to North America, with its type locality presumably in Kansas based on the specific epithet. Like other tachinid flies, it is likely a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Dithrycini
Dithrycini is a tribe of fruit flies within the subfamily Tephritinae of Tephritidae. Members are medium-sized flies approximately 4–5 mm in length. The tribe contains at least 11 genera including Dithryca (the type genus), Eurosta, Aciurina, and Platensina. Some species are associated with gall formation on host plants.
Dixa
Dixa is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Dixidae, established by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1818. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution, with species recorded across Europe, North America, and other regions. Species-level taxonomy within Dixa has been subject to recent revision, with several new species described from North America and taxonomic confusion resolved for historically problematic names such as D. modesta. Larvae develop in aquatic environments, particularly lotic (flowing water) habitats.
Dixella californica
Dixella californica is a species of meniscus midge in the family Dixidae (Order: Diptera). These small, delicate flies are associated with aquatic habitats where their larvae develop. The species was described by Johannsen in 1923 and is known from California. Dixidae larvae are recognized by their distinctive habit of hanging upside down from the water surface film, feeding on microorganisms and organic matter.
Dixella dorsalis
Dixella dorsalis is a species of midge in the family Dixidae, described by Garrett in 1924. Dixidae, commonly known as meniscus midges or dixid midges, are small non-biting flies closely related to mosquitoes (Culicidae). Larvae of this family are aquatic, typically inhabiting the surface film of standing water where they feed on microorganisms. The family is relatively small and understudied, with most species poorly known beyond basic taxonomic descriptions.
Djalmabatista pulcher
Djalmabatista pulcher is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae, subfamily Tanypodinae, tribe Procladiini. First described by Johannsen in 1908, this species belongs to a genus of predatory midges whose larvae inhabit aquatic environments. The genus Djalmabatista is part of the diverse chironomid fauna, with this particular species having documented occurrence records from Brazil (São Paulo state).
Docosia dichroa
Docosia dichroa is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, first described by German entomologist Hermann Loew in 1870. The species belongs to the subfamily Leiinae and tribe Leiini, placing it among the more derived lineages of fungus gnats. As with other members of Mycetophilidae, the larvae likely develop in association with fungi, though specific life history details remain poorly documented.
Dolichomyia
Dolichomyia is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) comprising seven described species. The genus was established by Wiedemann in 1830 and is classified within the subfamily Toxophorinae and tribe Systropodini. Species occur in the Americas, with records from North and South America. The genus name refers to the elongated body form characteristic of these flies.
Dolichopodidae
long-legged flies, longlegged flies
Dolichopodidae, the long-legged flies, is a large cosmopolitan family of true flies (Diptera) comprising over 8,000 described species in approximately 250 genera. Members are typically small (1–10 mm), often metallic green, blue, or bronze, with characteristically long and slender legs. Adults are predominantly predatory on small invertebrates. The family is particularly diverse in North America, with nearly 60 genera and about 1,300 species. Many species inhabit moist environments near water margins, though others occupy terrestrial habitats including tree trunks and foliage.