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
Dolichopus acuminatus
Dolichopus acuminatus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. The genus Dolichopus is characterized by small to medium-sized predatory flies, typically exhibiting metallic coloration. As with other members of this family, D. acuminatus likely shares the characteristic elongated legs and predatory habits typical of the group.
Dolichopus aethiops
Dolichopus aethiops is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. Members of this genus are predatory flies characterized by their elongated legs and often metallic coloration. The species is part of a large and diverse family of small to medium-sized flies that are active hunters of other small insects. As with most Dolichopus species, positive identification typically requires examination of male genitalia.
Dolichopus consanguineus
Dolichopus consanguineus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Wheeler in 1899. Members of the genus Dolichopus are small predatory flies characterized by elongated legs and often metallic coloration. As with other dolichopodids, this species likely exhibits complex courtship behaviors involving modified male tarsi.
Dolichopus distinctus
Dolichopus distinctus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. The genus Dolichopus is among the most diverse in the family, with males typically possessing ornamented front tarsi used in courtship displays. Species in this family are predatory as adults, feeding on small insects. Like most dolichopodids, D. distinctus is likely metallic in coloration and associated with moist or vegetated habitats where prey is abundant.
Dolichopus domesticus
Dolichopus domesticus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. Members of this genus are small, metallic-colored predatory flies known for their elongated legs and agile flight. Like other dolichopodids, they are predators of small insects. The specific epithet "domesticus" suggests an association with human-modified environments, though detailed ecological data for this particular species is limited.
Dolichopus lamellicornis
Dolichopus lamellicornis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Thomson in 1869. It is currently classified as a synonym of Hygroceleuthus lamellicornis. Like other members of the genus Dolichopus, it belongs to a diverse family of small, predatory flies known for their metallic coloration and agile flight. The species is known from very few observations, suggesting it may be rare, localized, or under-recorded.
Dolichopus longimanus
Dolichopus longimanus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. As a member of the genus Dolichopus, it shares the characteristic elongated legs and metallic coloration typical of this diverse group of predatory flies. The species epithet 'longimanus' refers to its long forelegs or 'hands'. Like other dolichopodids, it is likely a small, active predator of other small insects.
Dolichopus longipennis
Dolichopus longipennis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. Members of this family are known for their elongated legs and metallic coloration. The genus Dolichopus is one of the largest genera within Dolichopodidae.
Dolichopus occidentalis
Dolichopus occidentalis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Aldrich in 1893. It belongs to a large genus of predatory flies known for their elongated legs and metallic coloration. The specific epithet 'occidentalis' suggests a western geographic association. As with other members of Dolichopodidae, it is presumed to be predatory, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Dolichopus ovatus
Dolichopus ovatus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. The species was described by Loew in 1861. Like other members of the genus Dolichopus, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies characterized by elongated legs and often metallic coloration. Very few specific details about this particular species have been documented in accessible literature.
Dolichopus plumipes
Dolichopus plumipes is a long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, characterized by modified male mid tibiae bearing a longitudinal narrow dark streak. The species belongs to the D. plumipes species group, which comprises eleven Palaearctic species distinguished by modified male mid tibiae and/or mid basitarsi. It is a predatory fly active in sunny habitats.
Dolichopus porphyrops
Dolichopus porphyrops is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1921. Like other members of the genus Dolichopus, it belongs to a diverse group of small, predatory flies characterized by elongated legs and often metallic coloration. The species is known from limited distribution records in the northeastern United States.
Dolichopus pulchrimanus
Dolichopus pulchrimanus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Bigot in 1888. The genus Dolichopus is one of the largest genera within this diverse family of predatory flies. Like other members of its genus, it possesses characteristically elongated legs and likely exhibits predatory behavior on small insects. Species-level identification within Dolichopus typically requires examination of male genitalia.
Dolichopus ramifer
Dolichopus ramifer is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. Members of the genus Dolichopus are predatory flies known for their elongated legs and often metallic coloration. Males of the genus possess modified front tarsi adorned with scale-like ornaments used in courtship displays. The species is part of a large and diverse family with complex identification requirements.
Dolichopus remipes
long-legged fly
Dolichopus remipes is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, a diverse group of predatory flies characterized by their elongated legs and often metallic coloration. The species was described by Wahlberg in 1839 and is known from European localities. As with other members of the genus Dolichopus, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic predatory behavior on small insects, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Dolichopus scapularis
long-legged fly
Dolichopus scapularis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Loew in 1861. Members of this family are small to medium-sized flies, typically metallic in coloration, and are predatory on other small insects. The genus Dolichopus is one of the largest genera within the family, with males often possessing distinctive modifications to their fore tarsi used in courtship displays.
Dolichopus setifer
Dolichopus setifer is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. As a member of the genus Dolichopus, it shares traits with other species in this group, including elongated legs and predatory habits. Adults are typically found in moist habitats near water. The species has been documented in 46 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists.
Dolichopus sincerus
Dolichopus sincerus is a species of long-legged fly described by Melander in 1900. It belongs to the genus Dolichopus, a large group within the family Dolichopodidae. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be predatory on small insects. The species is known from limited records, with only one observation documented in iNaturalist.
Dolichopus tenuipes
Dolichopus tenuipes is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Aldrich in 1894. The genus Dolichopus is one of the largest genera of long-legged flies, with members characterized by elongated legs and often metallic coloration. Males of most Dolichopus species possess specialized scales on the front tarsi that function in courtship displays. The specific epithet 'tenuipes' refers to slender or thin feet, suggesting distinctive leg morphology.
Dolichopus tonsus
Dolichopus tonsus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. As a member of the genus Dolichopus, it belongs to a diverse group of small, predatory flies known for their metallic coloration and elongated legs. The genus Dolichopus is characterized by males having modified front tarsi adorned with special scales used in courtship displays. Species-level identification within Dolichopus generally requires examination of male genitalia.
Dolichopus variabilis
Dolichopus variabilis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. The genus Dolichopus is one of the most species-rich genera within this family, characterized by males having specialized ornamentation on their front tarsi used in courtship displays. Members of this family are predatory on other small insects. The specific epithet "variabilis" suggests morphological variation, though detailed species-level documentation for this particular taxon is limited in available sources.
Dolichopus vigilans
Dolichopus vigilans is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Aldrich in 1893. Like other members of this diverse family, it is likely predatory on small insects. The genus Dolichopus is characterized by males having ornamented front tarsi used in courtship displays. Species-level information for D. vigilans is extremely limited, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist and minimal published biological data.
Doros aequalis
Canadian Potter Fly
Doros aequalis is a species of syrphid fly commonly known as the Canadian Potter Fly. It belongs to the family Syrphidae, a diverse group of true flies often recognized for their bee- or wasp-like appearance. The species was first described by Loew in 1863. Records indicate it occurs in parts of North America, including Vermont and other areas in the United States.
Dorylomorpha
Dorylomorpha is a genus of big-headed flies (family Pipunculidae) established by Aczél in 1939. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution across Eurasia and the Americas, with notable absence from the Afrotropics. It contains approximately 80 described species, with significant taxonomic work conducted on South American fauna. Two subgenera—Monticola and Paramuna—were recently described from the Neotropics alongside 11 new species.
Drepanoglossa
Drepanoglossa is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1891. The genus contains at least three described species, all parasitoid flies that develop within other insects. These bristle flies are part of the diverse Tachinidae family, one of the largest families of Diptera. The genus name derives from Greek roots suggesting a hooked or sickle-shaped tongue or mouthpart structure.
Drepanoglossa tenuirostris
Drepanoglossa tenuirostris is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Reinhard in 1939. It belongs to the tribe Leskiini within the subfamily Tachininae. The species is known from North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a tachinid fly, it is presumed to be parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Drosophila cardini
Drosophila cardini is a fruit fly species in the Drosophila cardini species group, first described by Sturtevant in 1916 from Havana, Cuba. It belongs to a morphologically similar sibling species complex that includes D. cardinoides and D. polymorpha. Taxonomic reanalysis of Brazilian specimens revealed that most records previously attributed to D. cardinoides were actually D. cardini, particularly from drier regions. The species demonstrates strong adaptation to arid and semi-arid environments compared to its congeners.
Drymeia
Drymeia is a genus of true flies in the family Muscidae, tribe Azeliini. The genus was established by Meigen in 1826 and contains approximately 31 documented observations on iNaturalist. As a member of Muscidae, Drymeia species are part of a diverse group of calyptrate flies commonly associated with various terrestrial habitats.
Drymeia flavinervis
Drymeia flavinervis is a species of muscid fly described by Malloch in 1915. It belongs to the tribe Azeliini within the family Muscidae. The species was originally described under the genus Pogonomyia before being transferred to Drymeia. Like other members of the genus, it is likely associated with soil and decaying organic matter habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Dryope
Dryope is a genus of flies in the family Dryomyzidae, established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains three recognized species. These flies are classified within the order Diptera (true flies) and are part of the subfamily Dryomyzinae and tribe Dryomyzini.
Dyscrasis
Dyscrasis is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Aldrich in 1932. Members of this genus are characterized by patterned or banded wings, a defining feature of the Ulidiidae family. The genus is relatively poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species-level descriptions and biological data available. Observations suggest activity in temperate regions, primarily in North America.
Earomyia
Earomyia is a genus of small flies in the family Lonchaeidae (Diptera). Species in this genus have been documented developing within the stems of toxic plants in the Melanthiaceae family, including Veratrum album and Toxicoscordion venenosum. At least one species, E. crystallophila, occupies decaying stem tissue solitarily. The genus is distributed across Europe and North America, with records from Scandinavia, Serbia, and the western United States.
Eccoptomera
Eccoptomera is a genus of small flies in the family Heleomyzidae, first described by Loew in 1862. These flies belong to a family commonly known as 'sun flies' or 'heleomyzid flies,' which are often associated with decaying organic matter. The genus is documented from northern European countries including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with many heleomyzid genera, detailed biological information remains limited.
Eccoptomera aldrichi
Eccoptomera aldrichi is a species of fly in the family Heleomyzidae, described by Czerny in 1928. The genus Eccoptomera belongs to the diverse group of muscoid flies within the order Diptera. Members of Heleomyzidae are generally small to medium-sized flies associated with decaying organic matter. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Eccoptomera melanderi
Eccoptomera melanderi is a species of true fly in the family Heleomyzidae, first described by Garrett in 1925. The species is currently accepted taxonomically and belongs to a small genus within a family of saprophagous flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Eccoptomera simplex
Eccoptomera simplex is a species of true fly in the family Heleomyzidae, described by Coquillett in 1904. The genus Eccoptomera is part of a family of small to medium-sized flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only two documented observations in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Eccritosia
Eccritosia is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, comprising approximately seven described species. The genus was established by Schiner in 1866. Species in this genus are noted for their vivid, aposematic or mimetic coloration, making them among the more visually striking robber flies. The genus occurs in the Americas, with species distributed across North, Central, and South America.
Eccritosia zamon
Eccritosia zamon is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It is noted among robber flies for its vivid, aposematic or mimetic coloration, placing it among the most visually striking species in this charismatic family of predatory flies. The species was originally described as Proctacanthus zamon by Townsend in 1895 before being transferred to the genus Eccritosia.
Echthodopa carolinensis
Echthodopa carolinensis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Bromley in 1951. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies that capture prey in flight. The species epithet 'carolinensis' suggests a connection to the Carolinas region of the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Echthodopa formosa
Echthodopa formosa is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1872. Robber flies in this family are predatory insects known for their aggressive hunting behavior and diverse morphological adaptations. The genus Echthodopa is part of the diverse asilid fauna of North America. Available information about this specific species is limited beyond its taxonomic placement.
Ectaetia
minute black scavenger flies
Ectaetia is a small genus of minute black scavenger flies in the family Scatopsidae. Adults are generally shiny and black, reaching up to 7 mm in length. The genus has been documented across multiple biogeographic realms including the Nearctic, Palearctic, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. Records from GBIF confirm presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Ectaetia clavipes
Ectaetia clavipes is a species of minute black scavenger fly in the family Scatopsidae, described by Loew in 1846. The genus Ectaetia belongs to a group of small, often overlooked dipterans commonly known as black scavenger flies or minute black flies. Species in this family are typically associated with decaying organic matter. The specific epithet 'clavipes' refers to clubbed feet, a morphological trait characteristic of this species.
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.
Ectrepesthoneura
Ectrepesthoneura is a genus of fungus gnats comprising more than 20 described species. These small flies belong to the family Mycetophilidae, a diverse group associated with fungal habitats. The genus was established by Enderlein in 1911. Species in this genus are poorly documented in public sources, with limited observational records available.
Efferia aestuans
Northeastern Hammertail
Efferia aestuans is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) native to eastern North America. It is one of the more commonly encountered members of the genus Efferia in its range. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in body size, with females larger than males. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1763 as Asilus aestuans, it has undergone several taxonomic revisions before its current placement in Efferia.
Efferia antiochi
Efferia antiochi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia comprises large, predatory flies in the subfamily Asilinae, characterized by their robust build, prominent compound eyes, and strong predatory behavior. Efferia antiochi is one of numerous species in this diverse genus, which is primarily distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Like other robber flies, adults are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.
Efferia apache
Efferia apache is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia comprises predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. Records indicate this species has been observed in western Texas, specifically in juniper chaparral habitat at Gold Mine Canyon in Val Verde County. Adults have been collected at mercury-vapor lights, suggesting nocturnal or crepuscular activity patterns. The species name "apache" likely references the Apache peoples or geographic regions of the southwestern United States.
Efferia argentifrons
Silver-faced Hammertail
Efferia argentifrons is a robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hine in 1911. The species is characterized by its distinctive silvery facial markings, as indicated by its specific epithet ('argentifrons' = silver-faced). It belongs to a large genus of predatory flies known for their robust build and aggressive hunting behavior. Field observations of this species are sparse, with only three documented observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
Efferia armata
Golden Club-legged Hammertail
Efferia armata is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Hine in 1918. The species is known by the common name Golden Club-legged Hammertail. Like other members of the genus Efferia, it is a predatory dipteran that hunts other insects. The genus Efferia comprises a large group of robber flies distributed primarily in the Americas, with many species exhibiting distinctive morphological features and habitat preferences.
Efferia aurimystacea
Efferia aurimystacea is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hine in 1919. The genus Efferia comprises large, predatory flies distributed primarily in North America, with many species exhibiting distinctive sexual dimorphism including swollen male genital capsules. This species belongs to a group historically associated with the genus Triorla, though modern taxonomy generally treats Efferia as valid. Robber flies in this genus are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.