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
Geomyza apicalis
Geomyza apicalis is a species of fly in the family Opomyzidae, described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1830. This small dipteran belongs to a family commonly known as flat-footed flies, characterized by their distinctive leg structure. The species has been recorded from northern Europe, specifically Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Geron
Geron is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, established by Meigen in 1820. These small to minute flies are characterized by their slender bodies, reduced wing venation, and often distinctive facial markings. Members of this genus are parasitoids, with larvae developing in the egg sacs of spiders. The genus is placed in the subfamily Toxophorinae and tribe Gerontini. Geron species are found across multiple continents including North America and Europe.
Gimnomera cerea
Gimnomera cerea is a Nearctic dung fly (family Scathophagidae) with a highly specialized life history tied to its host plant, Pedicularis canadensis. The species has a single annual generation synchronized to the flowering phenology of this hemiparasitic plant. Larvae are herbivorous, feeding on ovules and capsules, while adults of both sexes are predaceous on small insects. The species undergoes protracted diapause in soil puparia, an adaptation likely linked to the ephemeral availability of host plant reproductive tissues.
Gimnomera tibialis
Gimnomera tibialis is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae, originally described as Dasypleuron tibialis by Malloch in 1919. The species belongs to a genus of flies associated with dung and decomposing organic matter. As a member of Scathophagidae, it is part of a family commonly known as dung flies or yellow dung flies, though detailed ecological and behavioral information specific to this species remains limited in available sources.
Ginglymia
Ginglymia is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Leskiini, established by Townsend in 1892. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. As a member of the Tachinidae family, species in this genus are presumed to be parasitoids, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in available literature.
Glabellula
micro bee flies
Glabellula is a genus of micro bee flies in the family Mythicomyiidae, comprising more than 30 described species with cosmopolitan distribution. The genus is poorly studied in the Neotropical Region, with recent taxonomic work describing new species from Colombia. At least one species, G. arctica, has been documented as myrmecophilous, living in association with ant nests. The group represents one of several genera of diminutive bombylioid flies often overlooked due to their small size.
Glabellula crassicornis
micro bee fly
Glabellula crassicornis is a species of micro bee flies in the family Mythicomyiidae. The species was described by Greene in 1924. Micro bee flies (family Mythicomyiidae) are a group of small, often minute flies within the order Diptera. The specific epithet "crassicornis" refers to thickened antennae.
Gliaspilota
Gliaspilota is a genus of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Gagné in 2008. The genus belongs to a family known for inducing plant galls, though specific biological details for Gliaspilota remain limited. Observations suggest presence in North America, particularly the northeastern United States.
Gliaspilota glutinosa
Gliaspilota glutinosa is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Osten Sacken in 1862. As a member of this family, it is likely associated with plant gall formation, though specific host plants and gall morphology remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded from the northeastern United States, with Vermont being a documented location.
Glyphidops
cactus flies
Glyphidops is a genus of cactus flies in the family Neriidae, established by Enderlein in 1922. These flies belong to the acalyptrate schizophoran group of Diptera. The genus is characterized by specific morphological features that distinguish it from related genera within Neriidae, particularly in antennal and leg structure. Species-level identification within Glyphidops requires examination of characters such as forecoxae coloration.
Gnadochaeta metallica
Gnadochaeta metallica is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, a group of parasitoid flies that play important roles in regulating insect populations. The species was originally described by Townsend in 1891 under the name Phasioclista metallica. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As with other tachinid flies, it likely develops as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Gnoriste macra
Gnoriste macra is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, described by Johannsen in 1912. It belongs to the subfamily Gnoristinae, a group of mycetophilids typically associated with fungal habitats. The species is known from Denmark based on distribution records, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Gnoristinae
fungus gnats
Gnoristinae is a subfamily of fungus gnats within the family Mycetophilidae. As of 2019, over 442 species have been described across more than 30 genera, making it one of the most taxonomically challenging groups in Mycetophilidae with species and generic boundaries subject to frequent revision. The subfamily has been characterized as highly diverse with new taxa described annually from various parts of the world. Members are generally small flies, with some species reaching only 3 mm in body length.
Goedenia
Goedenia is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, established by Freidberg & Norrbom in 1999. It belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Myopitini. The genus contains at least one described species, G. steyskali, named in 2002. Like other tephritids, members of this genus are likely associated with plants, though specific biology remains poorly documented.
Goeldichironomus carus
Goeldichironomus carus is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae. The species was described by Townes in 1945. It belongs to the tribe Chironomini within the subfamily Chironominae. As with other members of this genus, it is likely associated with freshwater aquatic habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Gonia
Cutworm Flies
Gonia is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Meigen in 1803. These flies are parasitoids, with larvae developing inside other insects. The genus is placed in the subfamily Exoristinae and tribe Goniini. As with other tachinids, Gonia species are likely important biological control agents of various insect pests, though specific ecological details for the genus as a whole remain poorly documented in available sources.
Gonia frontosa
Gonia frontosa is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It was described by Thomas Say in 1829 and is found in North America. As a tachinid fly, it is a parasitoid, with larvae developing inside other insects. The species belongs to the tribe Goniini within the subfamily Exoristinae.
Gonia fuscicollis
Gonia fuscicollis is a tachinid fly species described by Tothill in 1924. It belongs to the tribe Goniini within the subfamily Exoristinae. The species is recorded from North America, specifically the United States and Canada. Like other tachinid flies, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species are not documented in the available sources.
Gonia sagax
Gonia sagax is a species of tachinid fly described by Townsend in 1892. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships for this species remain undocumented in the available literature. The species is known to occur in the United States, with records indicating presence in North America. Like other tachinids, adults likely visit flowers for nectar, but detailed behavioral and ecological studies specific to G. sagax are lacking.
Gonia senilis
Gonia senilis is a species of tachinid fly described by Williston in 1887. Tachinid flies are parasitoids, with larvae typically developing inside other insects. This species occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Canada.
Goniocera
Goniocera is a genus of tachinid flies established by Brauer and Bergenstamm in 1891. It belongs to the tribe Siphonini within the subfamily Tachininae. The genus contains five described species distributed across northern Europe, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with other tachinids, members of this genus are parasitoid flies, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Gonomyia puer
Gonomyia puer is a species of limoniid crane fly described by Alexander in 1913. It belongs to the family Limoniidae, a large group of generally small, delicate crane flies. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from the eastern United States through the Caribbean and into South America. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with moist habitats where larvae develop in decaying organic matter.
Gowdeyana punctifera
Gowdeyana punctifera is a soldier fly species in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Pachygastrinae. First described by Malloch in 1915, this species has been recorded across much of North America. The genus Gowdeyana contains relatively few described species, and this taxon remains poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Grallipeza nebulosa
stilt-legged fly
Grallipeza nebulosa is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae. The species was originally described by Loew in 1866 under the name Calobata nebulosa. Stilt-legged flies in this family are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive body proportions.
Graphogastrini
Graphogastrini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the subfamily Tachininae. The tribe comprises 16 recognized genera distributed across multiple continents. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most genera. The genus Phytomyptera, established in 1845, is among the oldest described within the tribe.
Grossoseta
Grossoseta is a genus of flat-footed flies in the family Platypezidae, subfamily Callomyiinae. The genus was established by Kessel & Kirby in 1968 and contains at least two described species: G. johnsoni and G. pacifica. Both species were originally described by Kessel.
Grossoseta pacifica
flat-footed fly
Grossoseta pacifica is a species of flat-footed fly in the family Platypezidae, described by Kessel in 1948. The species was originally described under the genus Platypezina before being transferred to Grossoseta. Platypezidae are a family of true flies (Diptera) commonly known as flat-footed flies due to their distinctive leg structure. The genus Grossoseta is classified within the subfamily Callomyiinae.
Guttipelopia
Guttipelopia is a genus of non-biting midges in the subfamily Tanypodinae, family Chironomidae. The genus is distinguished by distinctive wing pigmentation patterns featuring darkened areas (guttae) on the wing membrane. Taxonomic review has clarified species boundaries, confirming the conspecificity of Nearctic G. multipunctata and Palaearctic G. guttipennis, with G. currani synonymized under the latter. The genus contains three recognized species: G. guttipennis, G. currani, and G. rosenbergi.
Gymnocarena
fruit flies
Gymnocarena is a genus of true fruit flies (family Tephritidae) comprising 19 described species. Most species are native to North America, with one species (G. monzoni) recorded from Guatemala. Larvae develop within the heads of plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), feeding on developing seeds and acting as seed predators. Several species are associated with cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and can be agricultural pests. Adults are characterized by patterned wings typical of tephritid fruit flies.
Gymnocarena bicolor
Gymnocarena bicolor is a species of tephritid fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, described by Foote in 1960. It belongs to the genus Gymnocarena within the tribe Xyphosiini. The species is known from limited observations, with records indicating a distribution in Mexico and the United States.
Gymnocheta ruficornis
Gymnocheta ruficornis is a species of tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) described by Williston in 1886. The species epithet 'ruficornis' refers to reddish antennae. It belongs to the tribe Ernestiini within the subfamily Tachininae. Records indicate presence in North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Gymnochiromyia concolor
Gymnochiromyia concolor is a species of fly in the family Chyromyidae, a small family of acalyptrate Diptera commonly known as "dung flies" or "yellow flies." Originally described as Chyromya concolor by Malloch in 1914, it was later transferred to the genus Gymnochiromyia. Members of Chyromyidae are typically associated with decomposing organic matter. The species is known from relatively few observations, with 25 records documented on iNaturalist.
Gymnoclytia unicolor
Gymnoclytia unicolor is a North American tachinid fly described by Brooks in 1946. The species is placed in the genus Gymnoclytia within the family Tachinidae, a large group of parasitoid flies. Its specific epithet "unicolor" suggests uniform coloration, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range in the United States.
Gymnophora
Gymnophora is a genus of scuttle flies in the family Phoridae, established by Macquart in 1835. The genus contains at least 60 described species, though the total number may exceed 69 based on current taxonomic records. Members are small, humpbacked flies characteristic of the Phoridae family.
Gymnopternus annulatus
Gymnopternus annulatus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Van Duzee in 1926. The genus Gymnopternus belongs to the subfamily Dolichopodinae, a group of predatory flies known for their elongated legs and metallic coloration. This species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases but has no documented observations in community science platforms. The specific epithet 'annulatus' typically refers to ringed or banded markings, though the precise morphological features distinguishing this species from congeners remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Gymnopternus difficilis
Gymnopternus difficilis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. The genus Gymnopternus belongs to the subfamily Dolichopodinae, a diverse group of predatory flies commonly known as long-legged flies. Members of this family are typically associated with moist habitats and are known for their metallic coloration and elongated legs. This species is documented from a limited number of observations, with 7 records on iNaturalist suggesting it is rarely encountered or potentially underreported.
Gymnopternus exilis
Gymnopternus exilis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. It belongs to the subfamily Dolichopodinae. The genus Gymnopternus comprises small to medium-sized predatory flies characterized by their elongated legs. Very little specific information is available about this particular species beyond its taxonomic placement.
Gymnopternus flavus
Gymnopternus flavus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It was described by Loew in 1861. The species belongs to a genus of predatory flies characterized by elongated legs and metallic coloration. Records indicate occurrence in Vermont and elsewhere in the United States.
Gymnopternus subulatus
Gymnopternus subulatus is a species of long-legged fly described by Loew in 1861. It belongs to the family Dolichopodidae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized predatory flies known for their elongated legs. The genus Gymnopternus is part of the subfamily Dolichopodinae.
Gymnopternus vockerothi
Gymnopternus vockerothi is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Robinson in 1964. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive wing venation and elongated legs typical of the family. The species epithet honors Canadian entomologist John R. Vockeroth.
Gymnosomatini
Gymnosomatini is a tribe of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) comprising more than 30 genera and approximately 200 described species. These bristle flies are parasitoids, with larvae developing inside other insects. The tribe is taxonomically positioned within the subfamily Tachininae.
Hadrokolos cazieri
Hadrokolos cazieri is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Martin in 1959. The genus Hadrokolos is a small group within the diverse asilid fauna of North America. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects that capture other arthropods in flight. Specific ecological details for H. cazieri remain poorly documented in published literature.
Hadrokolos texanus
Hadrokolos texanus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Bromley in 1934. The genus Hadrokolos is a relatively small group within the diverse robber fly family. Like other Asilidae, this species is presumably predatory as both adults and larvae, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented. The specific epithet 'texanus' indicates a type locality or primary association with Texas.
Hadromyia aepalius
Sterling Quicksilver
Hadromyia aepalius, known as the Sterling Quicksilver, is a rare hoverfly (family Syrphidae) found in eastern North America. The species exhibits a distinctive shining metallic bronze coloration that gives it its common name. It belongs to a genus of relatively uncommon flower-visiting flies. Observations are sparse, with only five documented records on iNaturalist.
Hadromyia grandis
Bee-like Quicksilver
Hadromyia grandis is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as the Bee-like Quicksilver. The species was described by Williston in 1882 and is currently accepted in the genus Hadromyia. It belongs to the tribe Milesiini within the subfamily Eristalinae.
Hadromyia pulchra
Yellow-shielded Quicksilver
Hadromyia pulchra is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) known by the common name Yellow-shielded Quicksilver. It occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a syrphid fly, it belongs to a group commonly recognized for their bee- or wasp-mimicking appearance and ecological roles as pollinators.
Haematopota americana
horse fly
Haematopota americana is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1875. It belongs to a genus known for blood-feeding females that are persistent pests of mammals, including humans and livestock. The species is recorded from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature. Like other horse flies, it likely has aquatic or semi-aquatic larval stages and terrestrial adults.
Haplopeodes loprestii
Haplopeodes loprestii is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described in 2021 by Eiseman and Lonsdale. It belongs to the subfamily Phytomyzinae, a group known for larvae that create distinctive feeding tunnels within plant leaves. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Haplopogon triangulatus
Haplopogon triangulatus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Martin in 1955. As a member of this predatory fly family, it likely shares the characteristic hunting behavior of ambushing and capturing other insects in flight. The species epithet 'triangulatus' suggests a triangular feature in its morphology, possibly in wing venation or body shape. No iNaturalist observations are recorded for this species, indicating it may be rare, poorly known, or restricted in distribution.
Haplopogon utahensis
Haplopogon utahensis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. As a member of the diverse Asilidae family, it is a predatory dipteran. The specific epithet 'utahensis' indicates a connection to Utah, likely reflecting the type locality or known distribution. Robber flies in this genus are typically aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.