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
Liriomyza lathyri
Liriomyza lathyri is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Sehgal in 1971. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically important agricultural pests, though specific information about this particular species remains sparse. The species name suggests an association with Lathyrus (pea/vetch plants), but direct host records have not been documented in the available literature. Like other Liriomyza species, it likely has a holometabolous life cycle with larval stages that feed internally in leaf tissue.
Liriomyza limopsis
Liriomyza limopsis is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically important agricultural pests, though specific information about this particular species remains limited. The species name suggests a possible association with lake or pond margins (from Greek 'limne' meaning lake and 'opsis' meaning appearance or sight). Like other Liriomyza species, it likely has a larval stage that mines within leaf tissue.
Liriomyza marginalis
Liriomyza marginalis is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Malloch in 1913. It has been recorded in the United States, West Indies, Brazil, and Mexico. A 2021 study documented it as a new record associated with maize crops in Mexico, marking the first known agricultural association for this species. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, the larvae likely feed within leaf tissue, though specific morphological and behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Liriomyza nigriscutellata
Liriomyza nigriscutellata is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The species is known only from California based on available records. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to have larvae that feed within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines, though specific host plants and detailed biology remain undocumented.
Liriomyza philadelphivora
Liriomyza philadelphivora is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The specific epithet "philadelphivora" indicates an association with mock orange (Philadelphus) as a host plant. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, this species produces larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The species has been recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States.
Liriomyza pilicornis
Liriomyza pilicornis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically significant leafminer species, though specific information about this particular species remains limited. The genus Liriomyza is characterized by larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive mines between the upper and lower leaf surfaces.
Liriomyza pistilla
Liriomyza pistilla is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. The genus Liriomyza includes numerous economically important leafminer species whose larvae feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines. As a recently described species, detailed biological information for L. pistilla remains limited. The species is known from specimen records in entomological collections, including the Entomology Research Museum at the University of California, Riverside.
Liriomyza polygalivora
Liriomyza polygalivora is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described in 2019. The specific epithet "polygalivora" indicates its association with host plants in the genus Polygala. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, it is likely a phytophagous species whose larvae create mines within leaf tissue.
Liriomyza sabaziae
Liriomyza sabaziae is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1963. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, it is likely a leafminer whose larvae feed between the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, creating characteristic mines. The specific epithet "sabaziae" suggests an association with plants in the genus Sabazia (Asteraceae). Very little published information exists on this species, and its biology, host range, and distribution remain poorly documented.
Liriomyza schmidti
Liriomyza schmidti is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Aldrich in 1929. It is known from Florida, the West Indies, and Costa Rica. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to be a leaf miner, though specific details of its biology are poorly documented in accessible literature.
Liriomyza trifoliearum
Liriomyza trifoliearum is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1973. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically significant agricultural pests, though this particular species is less documented than congeners such as L. trifolii and L. huidobrensis. The species is known from the United States.
Liriomyza triodanidis
Liriomyza triodanidis is a leaf-mining fly species in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman, Lonsdale & Feldman in 2019. The specific epithet "triodanidis" derives from the genus Triodanis, indicating an association with plants in this genus. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, this species likely produces larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The species was described relatively recently, and detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Liriomyza venegasiae
Liriomyza venegasiae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The species is known from California, USA, and is one of numerous Liriomyza species that create feeding tunnels (mines) within leaf tissue. Like other members of the genus, the larvae are internal feeders that mine between the upper and lower epidermis of leaves.
Liriomyza violivora
Liriomyza violivora is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, originally described by Spencer in 1986 under the genus Galiomyza before being transferred to Liriomyza. As a member of this genus, it is a small dipteran whose larvae create mines within leaf tissue. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, specifically Vermont.
Liriomyza zinniae
Liriomyza zinniae is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The specific epithet 'zinniae' indicates an association with Zinnia host plants. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, the larvae are leafminers that feed internally within leaf tissue. The species is part of a large genus containing numerous agricultural pests, though specific information about L. zinniae's economic impact appears limited in published literature.
Lispe albitarsis
Lispe albitarsis is a muscid fly in the tribe Limnophorini, first described by Stein in 1898. It belongs to a genus of predatory or scavenging flies commonly found in association with moist habitats. The species has been documented through limited observations, with 13 records on iNaturalist suggesting it is infrequently encountered or underreported.
Lispe nasoni
Lispe nasoni is a species of muscid fly in the tribe Limnophorini, described by Stein in 1898. It belongs to a genus of house flies and related dipterans in the family Muscidae. The species has been documented in North America, including observations during citizen science events in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Lispe tentaculata
A muscid fly with Holarctic distribution, widespread across the Palearctic from the Iberian Peninsula to Kamchatka. Males exhibit distinctive modified fore tarsi with brush-like setulae and a finger-like yellow process on tarsomere 1. The species inhabits riparian environments including river banks, pond margins, and forest streams. Taxonomic identification relies on male genitalic structures and specific leg chaetotaxy patterns.
Lispoides aequifrons
Lispoides aequifrons is a species of muscid fly in the tribe Limnophorini, subfamily Coenosiinae. It was described by Stein in 1898. The genus Lispoides is part of a group of muscid flies often associated with moist or semi-aquatic habitats. Very little specific information has been published about the biology of this particular species.
Litolinga
Litolinga is a genus of stiletto flies (family Therevidae, subfamily Therevinae) established by Irwin and Lyneborg in 1981. The genus contains two described species, L. acuta and L. tergisa, both restricted to the Nearctic Region. A comprehensive revision by Webb (2009) provided redescriptions, genitalia illustrations, identification keys, and distribution maps for both species.
Litolinga tergisa
Litolinga tergisa is a species of stiletto fly (family Therevidae) first described by Thomas Say in 1823. The species was originally placed in the genus Thereva before being transferred to Litolinga. Stiletto flies are predatory as larvae and generally associated with sandy or loose soil habitats.
Lixophaga
Lixophaga is a genus of tachinid flies in the tribe Blondeliini. Species in this genus are parasitoids, primarily attacking lepidopteran hosts including stem borers in the genus Diatraea and other moth larvae. The genus has been recorded from the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, with some species studied for biological control potential against agricultural pests. Lixophaga diatraeae has been particularly well-studied as a parasitoid of sugarcane borers.
Lonchaea
lance flies
Lonchaea is a genus of small flies in the family Lonchaeidae, commonly called lance flies. The genus contains at least 238 described species with a worldwide distribution. Species within Lonchaea exhibit diverse ecological associations with coniferous trees and bark beetles, ranging from predatory to commensal relationships. Some species have been investigated for potential use as biological control agents of forest pests.
Lonchaeidae
Lance Flies
Lonchaeidae, commonly known as lance flies, is a family of acalyptrate dipteran flies comprising approximately 611 described species across 10 genera. These small, robust flies are characterized by blue-black or metallic bodies and are predominantly associated with wooded habitats worldwide. The family exhibits diverse larval ecology, with most species being phytophagous on damaged plant tissues, though coprophagous, mycophagous, saprophagous, and predatory habits are also documented. Several species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of figs, cassava, and conifer seeds, while others develop in bark beetle tunnels, decaying wood, or fungal fruiting bodies.
Lonchopteridae
spear-winged flies
Lonchopteridae is a small family of Diptera commonly known as spear-winged flies, characterized by distinctive lanceolate wings with pointed tips. The family contains approximately 50 species worldwide, primarily in the genus Lonchoptera. Species are found in diverse habitats including upland blanket bogs, mineral soils, peatlands, and lowland bogs. Some species exhibit parthenogenetic reproduction, with males rare or absent across most of the range. The family has been documented in the Palearctic, Nearctic, and other regions.
Lonicerae
Lonicerae is a genus of gall midges (family Cecidomyiidae) described by Gagné in 2016. Species in this genus are associated with Lonicera (honeysuckle) plants, forming galls or other plant growth abnormalities. The genus belongs to the tribe Lasiopterini within the subfamily Cecidomyiinae.
Lonicerae lonicera
Honeysuckle gall midge
Lonicerae lonicera is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces galls on honeysuckle plants (genus Lonicera). As a member of the gall midges, this species represents one of many cecidomyiids specialized in manipulating host plant tissue to form protective structures for larval development. The genus name Lonicerae directly references its association with honeysuckle hosts.
Lopescladius
A genus of non-biting midges in the subfamily Orthocladiinae, known from the Neotropics. The first record for the Piranhas-Açu River basin in northeastern Brazil was documented in 2015, expanding the known distribution of this poorly studied genus.
Lordotus pulchrissimus
desert bee fly
Lordotus pulchrissimus is a bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, commonly known as the desert bee fly. Males and females exhibit strong sexual dimorphism in size, fur density, and coloration—females are smaller (2–14 mm), more densely furred, and display brighter orange-yellow tones that fade rapidly with age, while males are larger (8–16 mm), less hairy, and possess black markings on the femora. The species is notable for the daily aerial swarming behavior of males, which form aggregations over stabilized dunes for reasons that remain unclear; this behavior is energetically costly and occurs independently of female presence or resource density. Adults feed primarily on nectar from desert brush, particularly rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and serve as pollinators. Larvae are parasitoids, though specific host insects remain unidentified.
Lordotus striatus
Lordotus striatus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Painter in 1940. It belongs to the subfamily Lordotinae and tribe Lordotini. The species has been documented in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States, particularly in association with flowering plants in alkaline flats and tamarisk/saltbush chaparral habitats.
Lordotus zona
Lordotus zona is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Coquillett in 1887. The genus Lordotus belongs to the subfamily Lordotinae, a group of bee flies characterized by distinctive morphological features. Records of this species are relatively sparse, with limited observational data available through community science platforms. The species epithet 'zona' likely refers to banded or zoned coloration patterns.
Lotophila
lesser dung flies
Lotophila is a genus of small flies in the family Sphaeroceridae, commonly known as lesser dung flies. The genus was established by Lioy in 1864 and contains at least three described species distributed across Europe and the Oriental Region. Species are found in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United States (Vermont), Vietnam, Nepal, and Thailand. The genus includes Lotophila atra (Meigen, 1830), Lotophila nepalensis Hayashi, 1991, and Lotophila vietnamica Hayashi, 2003.
Lotophila atra
Lotophila atra is a species of lesser dung fly in the family Sphaeroceridae, distributed across the Palearctic region. The species is characterized by its small size and association with decaying organic matter. Larvae develop in moist, decomposing substrates where they feed on microorganisms.
Loxocera collaris
Loxocera collaris is a species of rust fly in the family Psilidae, first described by Loew in 1870. The genus Loxocera is characterized by distinctive head morphology with elongated faces. Like other psilids, this species is associated with plant hosts, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is currently accepted under the name Loxocera collaris, though it was previously classified as Imantimyia collaris.
Loxocera cylindrica
rust fly
Loxocera cylindrica is a species of rust fly in the family Psilidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1823. It is one of the most frequently observed species in its genus, with over 1,100 documented observations on iNaturalist. The species belongs to a family commonly known as rust flies, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain limited in published literature.
Loxocera fumipennis
Loxocera fumipennis is a species of rust fly in the family Psilidae, first described by Coquillett in 1901. The species name 'fumipennis' refers to the smoky or fumose wing coloration characteristic of this group. Rust flies are generally associated with plant stems and roots, though specific biological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Loxocera ojibwayensis
Loxocera ojibwayensis is a species of rust fly in the family Psilidae, described by Buck in 2006. The species was originally described in the genus Imantimyia but is currently accepted in Loxocera. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only two records on iNaturalist. The specific epithet references the Ojibway, suggesting a connection to the geographic region associated with this Indigenous group, likely in the Great Lakes area of North America.
Lucilia cluvia
Lucilia cluvia is a species of blow fly in the family Calliphoridae. It belongs to the genus Lucilia, commonly known as green bottle flies. Very little specific information has been documented about this particular species compared to better-studied congeners such as Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina.
Lucilia coeruleiviridis
Blue-green Bottle Fly, Green Bottle Fly
Lucilia coeruleiviridis is one of the most common and ubiquitous blow fly species in the southeastern United States, with a range extending throughout the eastern US. This species is forensically important, frequently used for minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) estimation in death investigations. Larval development is strongly temperature-dependent, with optimal growth occurring at warm temperatures. The species was first described by French entomologist Justin Pierre Marie Macquart in 1855 and was formerly placed in the genus Phaenecia.
Lucilia silvarum
common toad fly, Marsh Greenbottle Fly
Lucilia silvarum is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, first described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1826. Adults are 4.5–10 mm with metallic green coloration and plumose aristae, making them difficult to distinguish from related green bottle flies. The species has a Holarctic distribution across North America and Europe. Recent research has clarified its ecological role: it is primarily saprophagous on carrion and was identified as a primary colonizer of domestic cats in experimental studies, contradicting earlier assumptions that it was strictly associated with amphibian myiasis.
Lutomyia spurca
Lutomyia spurca is a species of true fly in the family Heleomyzidae, described by Aldrich in 1922. It belongs to the order Diptera, which includes all true flies. The genus Lutomyia is part of the diverse Heleomyzidae family, whose members are commonly known as heleomyzid flies. These flies are typically small to medium-sized and are often found in association with decaying organic matter. Very little specific biological information is available for this particular species.
Lydina
Lydina is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains six recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region, including Europe, North America, and East Asia. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, a characteristic trait of the family Tachinidae.
Lygistorrhina sanctaecatharinae
Lygistorrhina sanctaecatharinae is a species of long-beaked fungus gnat described by Thompson in 1975. It belongs to the family Lygistorrhinidae, a group of small, slender flies associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The species is documented from North America.
Lygistorrhinidae
Long-beaked Fungus Gnats
Lygistorrhinidae is a small family of flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as long-beaked fungus gnats. The family contains approximately 7 genera and at least 30 described species. These insects are distinguished by their elongated mouthparts and association with fungal habitats. They are relatively poorly studied compared to other fungus gnat families, with limited biological and ecological documentation.
Lyprauta
Lyprauta is a genus of fungus gnats in the family Keroplatidae, described by Edwards in 1929. It belongs to the tribe Orfeliini within the subfamily Keroplatinae. Members of this genus are small, delicate flies associated with moist, decaying organic matter and fungal habitats. The genus is poorly known, with limited published information on species diversity and biology.
Lysilinga
Lysilinga is a genus of stiletto flies (Diptera: Therevidae: Therevinae) comprising 10 species distributed in North and Central America. The genus was established by Irwin and Lyneborg in 1981 and revised by Webb in 2006, who described seven new species and resolved two synonymies. Species are distinguished primarily by male and female genitalia morphology.
Lytogaster excavata
Lytogaster excavata is a species of shore fly in the family Ephydridae, first described by Sturtevant and Wheeler in 1954. The genus Lytogaster belongs to a group of small flies commonly associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Records indicate this species has been documented in natural history collections, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Machimus adustus
Machimus adustus is a species of robber fly described by Martin in 1975. As a member of the family Asilidae, it belongs to a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species is classified within the subfamily Asilinae and tribe Machimini.
Machimus callidus
robber fly
Machimus callidus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described by Williston in 1893 under the genus Asilus. The species was later transferred to Machimus. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their aerial hunting behavior.
Machimus latipex
Machimus latipex is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their aerial hunting abilities. The genus Machimus is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere and contains numerous similar-looking species. Specific details about M. latipex remain limited in published literature.