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
Lasiopogon coconino
Lasiopogon coconino is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Cannings in 2002. The genus Lasiopogon comprises small to medium-sized predatory flies primarily distributed in western North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their bristly bodies and predatory habits, typically hunting other insects from perches on vegetation or ground surfaces.
Lasiopogon currani
Lasiopogon currani is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Cole and Wilcox in 1938. The species belongs to the genus Lasiopogon, a group of small to medium-sized predatory flies. It has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly in Vermont.
Lasiopogon flammeus
Lasiopogon flammeus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Cannings in 2002. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies commonly found in western North America. As with other robber flies, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects.
Lasiopogon gabrieli
Lasiopogon gabrieli is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) in the bivittatus section, first described by Cole & Wilcox in 1938. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies found in western North America. The species was validated in a 2020 molecular phylogenetic revision of Nearctic Lasiopogon. Very few observations exist in public databases.
Lasiopogon karli
Lasiopogon karli is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the cinereus group within the opaculus section of the genus Lasiopogon, distinguishing it from the bivittatus section that was the primary focus of the taxonomic revision in which it was described. As a member of the Asilidae family, it is presumed to share the general predatory habits characteristic of robber flies, though species-specific ecological data remain undocumented in available sources.
Lasiopogon marshalli
A species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Cannings in 2002. The genus Lasiopogon comprises small to medium-sized predatory flies commonly found in open habitats. L. marshalli is one of several species in this genus, with limited published biological information available.
Lasiopogon monticola
Mountain Sandpirate
Lasiopogon monticola is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Melander in 1923. The species epithet 'monticola' (mountain-dwelling) suggests an association with montane habitats. As a member of the Asilidae, it is a predatory fly that captures other insects in flight. The genus Lasiopogon comprises species commonly known as sandpirates, typically associated with sandy or loose soil substrates.
Lasiopogon nelsoni
Lasiopogon nelsoni is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the genus Lasiopogon, a group of small to medium-sized predatory flies commonly found in North America. As with other asilids, this species is likely an aerial predator that captures other insects in flight. The species epithet honors an individual named Nelson, though the specific honoree is not documented in available sources.
Lasiopogon piestolophus
A species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Cannings in 2002. Belongs to the genus Lasiopogon, a group of small to medium-sized robber flies known for their predatory habits. The species name 'piestolophus' refers to the flattened (piesto-) crest (-lophus) on the head. Known from limited observations.
Lasiopogon polensis
Lasiopogon polensis is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Lavigne in 1969. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized predatory flies commonly found in sandy habitats. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, suggesting it may be rare, locally distributed, or underreported.
Lasiopogon sierra
Lasiopogon sierra is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic robber flies characterized by distinctive morphological features. The species was established as part of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic revision of the genus using mitochondrial COI and nuclear protein-coding markers (AATS, PEPCK, Wg). As a member of Asilidae, it is a predatory fly, though species-specific biological details remain to be documented.
Lasiopogon testaceus
Lasiopogon testaceus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Cole & Wilcox in 1938. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their aggressive hunting behavior and strong flying ability. The species epithet 'testaceus' refers to a brick-red or brownish coloration. As with other Asilidae, this species likely exhibits the family's characteristic predatory habits, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Lasiopogon tetragrammus
Great Lakes Sandpirate
Lasiopogon tetragrammus is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) first described by Loew in 1874. The species was transferred from the bivittatus section to the tetragrammus group of the opaculus section in a 2020 molecular phylogenetic revision by Cannings. It is known by the common name Great Lakes Sandpirate, reflecting its geographic association with the Great Lakes region.
Lasiopogon wilcoxi
Lasiopogon wilcoxi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic predatory flies. The species was established as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision and molecular phylogenetic study of western Nearctic Lasiopogon species. No specific ecological or behavioral data for this species has been published in the available literature.
Lasiopogon zonatus
Lasiopogon zonatus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Cole & Wilcox in 1938. It belongs to the genus Lasiopogon, a group of small to medium-sized predatory flies distributed across North America. Robber flies in this genus are typically associated with open, sandy or gravelly habitats near water. The species epithet "zonatus" refers to banded or zoned coloration patterns. Like other Asilidae, adults are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight using their spiny legs and piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Lasioptera lorrainae
Lasioptera lorrainae is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Gagné in 2018. As a member of the genus Lasioptera, it belongs to a group of tiny flies whose larvae typically develop within plant galls. The genus is characterized by adults with distinctive black, gray, and white coloration. Very little is known about this particular species, which has been recorded from only a handful of observations.
Lasioptera solidaginis
Lasioptera solidaginis is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1863. It is one of numerous gall-forming insects associated with goldenrod (Solidago) plants. The genus Lasioptera includes species that induce galls on various host plants, with larvae developing within these specialized plant structures.
Lasioptera vitis
Grapevine Tomato Gall Fly
Lasioptera vitis is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, commonly known as the Grapevine Tomato Gall Fly. The species is associated with grapevines (Vitis spp.), as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus Lasioptera, it likely induces gall formation on host plants, though specific details about the morphology of its galls remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Lauxania shewelli
Lauxania shewelli is a small fly species in the family Lauxaniidae, described from North America in 2000. The species is named in honor of the dipterist Harold Shewell. It belongs to a genus of lauxaniid flies characterized by patterned wings and yellowish to brownish body coloration. The species has been documented primarily through observations in the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada.
Lauxaniidae
Lauxaniid Flies
Lauxaniidae is a family of acalyptrate flies comprising approximately 1800 described species across 126 genera. Adults are small (2–7 mm), often with large, brightly colored compound eyes and variegated wing patterns. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution with highest diversity in tropical Asia and the Americas; species richness declines markedly toward temperate regions. Adults are typically sedentary, associated with shaded, humid forest environments where they feed on leaf-surface fungi. Larvae are primarily saprophagous, developing in decaying plant matter, leaf litter, rotting wood, and bird nests.
Leia bivittata
fungus gnat
Leia bivittata is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1829. It belongs to the genus Leia, a group of small flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter and fungal habitats. The species epithet "bivittata" refers to two longitudinal stripes or bands, likely describing a distinctive color pattern on the body or wings. Like other members of Mycetophilidae, the larvae are presumed to develop in moist, decomposing substrates.
Leia oblectabilis
Leia oblectabilis is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, originally described by Loew in 1870 under the basionym Glaphyroptera oblectabilis. The species belongs to the subfamily Leiinae and tribe Leiini. Like other members of this family, it is associated with fungal habitats. Available records are limited, with few documented observations.
Leia sublunata
Leia sublunata is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae. The species was described by Loew in 1870. Like other members of its family, it likely inhabits moist, forested environments where fungal resources are abundant. The genus Leia contains multiple species of small, delicate flies associated with decaying organic matter and fungi.
Leia varia
Leia varia is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It belongs to the subfamily Leiinae and tribe Leiini. Adults are distinguished by prominent morphological features on their legs.
Leia ventralis
Leia ventralis is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. As a member of the genus Leia, it belongs to a group of small flies commonly associated with fungal habitats. The species is part of a diverse family of over 3,000 described species worldwide, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented.
Leia winthemii
Leia winthemii is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, first described by Lehmann in 1822. As a member of this family, it is associated with fungal habitats. The species has been documented through limited observations, with records available on iNaturalist.
Leiomyza scatophagina
Leiomyza scatophagina is a small fly species in the family Asteiidae, first described by Fallén in 1823. It is distributed across the Palearctic region, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Members of the family Asteiidae are generally small, slender flies often associated with decaying organic matter.
Lepidanthrax angulus
Lepidanthrax angulus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It was described by Osten Sacken in 1886. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. As with other bee flies, adults are likely nectar feeders, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Lepidanthrax californicus
Lepidanthrax californicus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Hall in 1976. It is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, with confirmed records from California, Arizona, and Baja California Norte. Bee flies in this family are typically characterized by their robust, hairy bodies and long proboscises adapted for nectar feeding. The species belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini, a group whose members often exhibit striking coloration and patterns.
Lepidanthrax disjunctus
Lepidanthrax disjunctus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. The species is documented from Mexico and the U.S. state of Arizona. Bee flies in this family are typically characterized by their resemblance to bees and their parasitic or predatory larval life histories, though specific biological details for this species remain limited.
Lepidanthrax eremicus
Lepidanthrax eremicus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, described by Hall in 1976. The species is known only from California. As a member of the bee fly family, it likely exhibits the characteristic parasitoid lifestyle of many bombyliids, though specific biological details remain undocumented.
Lepidodexia
Lepidodexia is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) containing at least 170 described species. The genus was established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1891. Taxonomic revisions have clarified its boundaries, including revalidation of subgeneric names such as Orosarcophaga. Species in this genus are distinguished primarily by male terminalia morphology.
Lepidophora
bee flies
Lepidophora is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, comprising eight described species restricted to the New World. The genus exhibits a distinctive hunch-backed body shape and includes species with notable mimicry patterns. Larvae are kleptoparasites of solitary wasp nests, usurping provisions rather than parasitizing larvae directly. Adults are commonly observed feeding on nectar from flowers.
Leptocera
Leptocera is a genus of small flies in the family Sphaeroceridae (Diptera), established by Olivier in 1813. The genus includes multiple subgenera with divergent ecological specializations: the nominate subgenus Leptocera contains species associated with decaying organic matter including sewage systems, while the subgenus Thoracochaeta is restricted to marine supralittoral habitats. Several species have been documented as pests in artificial environments. The genus is distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including the Nearctic, with some species recently introduced to North America.
Leptogaster aegra
Leptogaster aegra is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1957. It is known from the eastern United States, occurring in regions east of the Rocky Mountains. As with other members of the genus Leptogaster, it is a predatory fly, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Leptogaster arborcola
Leptogaster arborcola is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Martin in 1957. It belongs to the genus Leptogaster, a group of slender, elongate robber flies characterized by their distinctive body form and predatory habits. The specific epithet "arborcola" suggests an association with trees or arboreal habitats. As with other members of the Leptogastrinae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of small insects.
Leptogaster arida
Leptogaster arida is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Cole in 1919. As a member of the genus Leptogaster, it belongs to a group of slender, elongate robber flies that are morphologically and behaviorally distinct from the more robust, heavily-built asilids. The species epithet "arida" suggests an association with dry or arid habitats. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only four records in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Leptogaster brevicornis
Leptogaster brevicornis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Loew in 1872. Robber flies are predatory dipterans known for their agile flight and aggressive hunting behavior. The genus Leptogaster comprises small, slender robber flies often found in grassy or brushy habitats. Specific ecological and behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Leptogaster californica
Leptogaster californica is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1957. It belongs to the subfamily Leptogastrinae, a group of slender, elongate robber flies often found in grassy or weedy habitats. The species is endemic to California, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus Leptogaster, it is likely a predator of small arthropods, though specific ecological data for this species are limited.
Leptogaster carolinensis
Leptogaster carolinensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Schiner in 1866. It belongs to the subfamily Leptogastrinae, a group characterized by slender, elongated bodies and distinctive predatory behaviors. The species epithet 'carolinensis' suggests a historical association with the Carolinas region of the eastern United States. As with other Leptogaster species, it is likely a small, delicate predator of other small arthropods.
Leptogaster flavipes
Yellow-legged Pixie
Leptogaster flavipes is a small robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Yellow-legged Pixie. The species is distinguished by its notably slender body form and pale yellow legs, traits that set it apart from the generally more robust build typical of most robber flies. As a member of the genus Leptogaster, it exhibits the characteristic delicate morphology associated with this group of aerial predators. The species was described by Loew in 1862.
Leptogaster hesperis
Leptogaster hesperis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1957. It belongs to the subfamily Leptogastrinae, a group characterized by slender, elongated bodies and distinctive predatory habits. The species name 'hesperis' refers to the western regions, suggesting a western North American distribution. Like other Leptogaster species, it is likely an aerial predator of small insects. Specific ecological details remain poorly documented due to limited study.
Leptogaster lanata
Leptogaster lanata is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Martin in 1957. It belongs to the subfamily Leptogasterinae, a group characterized by slender, elongate bodies and distinctive predatory behaviors. The species epithet 'lanata' (meaning 'woolly' in Latin) suggests a possible covering of dense setae. Like other members of the genus Leptogaster, it is likely a predator of small insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented due to limited collection records.
Leptogaster murina
Leptogaster murina is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Hermann Loew in 1862. It belongs to the subfamily Leptogastrinae, a group characterized by slender, elongate bodies and distinctive predatory habits. The genus Leptogaster is known for its delicate, wasp-like appearance compared to more robust asilid genera. This species is part of a diverse lineage of aerial predators within the Diptera.
Leptogaster panda
Leptogaster panda is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Martin in 1957. The genus Leptogaster comprises small, slender robber flies characterized by elongated bodies and distinctive predatory habits. No observations of this species have been recorded in iNaturalist, suggesting it may be rarely encountered or underreported.
Leptogaster patula
Leptogaster patula is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1957. It belongs to the genus Leptogaster, which comprises small, slender robber flies commonly known as 'gangling' flies due to their elongated bodies and long, thin legs. The species is part of the subfamily Leptogastrinae, a group distinguished by their distinctive morphology among Asilidae. Very limited information is available regarding the specific biology and ecology of this species.
Leptometopa latipes
freeloader fly
Leptometopa latipes is a species of freeloader fly in the family Milichiidae. The species was described by Meigen in 1830. Members of the family Milichiidae are commonly known as freeloader flies due to their kleptoparasitic behavior, often feeding on the prey of other insects rather than capturing their own food. The species has been recorded from several locations in Europe including Belgium and the Azores (Flores, Pico, Terceira).
Leptomorphus
Leptomorphus is a genus of fungus gnats in the family Mycetophilidae, comprising approximately 45 extant species distributed across multiple biogeographic realms. The genus is monophyletic based on morphological phylogenetic analysis, with four major species groups recognized: the L. ornatus group, L. grjebinei group, L. walkeri group, and L. furcatus group. Species exhibit considerable morphological diversity, with detailed descriptions and illustrations of habitus, wings, and male genitalia available for identification.
Leptomorphus bifasciatus
fungus gnat
Leptomorphus bifasciatus is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1824 as Sciophila bifasciatus. A neotype was designated for this species in a 2012 comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Leptomorphus, which recognized 37 valid species worldwide. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing venation and male genitalia morphology.
Leptomorphus hyalinus
Leptomorphus hyalinus is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae, tribe Sciophilini. It was described by Coquillett in 1901. A 2012 taxonomic revision synonymized Leptomorphus ypsilon Johannsen with L. hyalinus. The species is one of 37 valid species in a genus-level revision that brought the total extant species of Leptomorphus to 45.