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
Nemotelinae
Nemotelinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) comprising four recognized genera: Brachycara, Lasiopa, Nemotelus, and Pselaphomyia. These flies are characterized by their distinctive wing venation and are primarily found in temperate regions. The genus Nemotelus is the most species-rich and well-known within the subfamily. Members are generally small to medium-sized flies often associated with wetland and grassland habitats.
Nemotelus bruesii
Brues' soldier fly
Nemotelus bruesii, commonly known as Brues' soldier fly, is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. The species was described by Melander in 1903. It belongs to the subfamily Nemotelinae, a group characterized by their slender bodies and often metallic coloration. The species has been documented through numerous observations, suggesting it is relatively well-represented in entomological collections and citizen science records.
Neoascia
Fen Flies
Neoascia is a genus of small hoverflies (Syrphidae) characterized by black and yellow or mostly black coloration with a narrow, wasp-like waist between the thorax and abdomen. Adults are typically found in damp, low-vegetation habitats including fens, marshes, and pond margins. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with records across Northern and Central Europe, Western Siberia, and Scandinavia. Larvae are saprophagous, developing in wet organic matter such as decaying vegetation, compost, and wet manure associated with aquatic margins.
Neochirosia nuda
Neochirosia nuda is a species of dung fly in the family Scathophagidae. Unlike most members of its family, it is not associated with dung but instead has been documented as a leaf miner. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle, producing one generation per year. It has been recorded from the northeastern United States.
Neochrysops globosus
Neochrysops globosus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walton in 1918. The genus Neochrysops is a small group within the subfamily Chrysopsinae, closely related to the more widespread genus Chrysops. As a member of Tabanidae, this species is presumed to share the blood-feeding habits typical of female deer flies, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species epithet "globosus" suggests a rounded or globular body form.
Neodeceia
Neodeceia is a genus of small flies in the family Lauxaniidae, established by Malloch in 1924. It is currently considered a synonym of Neodecia according to Catalogue of Life, with its taxonomic status marked as doubtful in GBIF. The genus belongs to the diverse group of lauxaniid flies, which are commonly found in forested and humid environments. Little specific information is available about this particular genus due to its synonymized status.
Neodexiopsis
house flies
Neodexiopsis is a genus of muscid flies (family Muscidae) established by Malloch in 1920. It is one of the two most species-rich genera in the tribe Coenosiini, with at least 80 described species. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, particularly in relation to species previously placed in the genus Austrocoenosia. Species-level taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships within Neodexiopsis have been investigated using morphological characters of adult flies, including male and female genitalia structures.
Neodexiopsis ovata
Neodexiopsis ovata is a species of muscid fly in the family Muscidae, subfamily Coenosiinae. The species was described by Stein in 1898. As a member of the Muscidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as house flies and their relatives, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Neodexiopsis rufitibia
Neodexiopsis rufitibia is a species of muscid fly in the subfamily Coenosiinae. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized flies whose members are often associated with wetland and riparian habitats. The specific epithet 'rufitibia' refers to reddish coloration on the tibiae. Like other Coenosiinae, it is presumed to have predatory or saprophagous larval habits, though direct observations are limited.
Neodiplocampta mirella
Neodiplocampta mirella is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, described by Hull and Martin in 1974. The species is known only from California. As a member of the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini, it belongs to a group of bee flies characterized by particular wing venation patterns. No observations of this species have been recorded in iNaturalist.
Neodiplotoxa
Neodiplotoxa is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Malloch in 1914. The genus contains four described species distributed in the Americas: N. pulchripes, N. nigricans, N. mexicana, and N. albiseta. Chloropidae, commonly known as grass flies or frit flies, are generally associated with grasses and sedges. Species-level biology of Neodiplotoxa remains poorly documented.
Neodiplotoxa nigricans
Neodiplotoxa nigricans is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Loew in 1872. It belongs to the subfamily Chloropinae and tribe Diplotoxini. Members of this genus are small flies typically associated with grassland and wetland habitats. The specific epithet 'nigricans' refers to the dark or blackish coloration characteristic of this species.
Neogriphoneura
Neogriphoneura is a genus of small flies in the family Lauxaniidae, established by Malloch in 1924. The genus contains approximately 11 described species and is primarily distributed in the Neotropical region. One species, N. sordida, extends into the Nearctic region. The genus is characterized by features typical of lauxaniid flies, including distinctive wing venation and facial markings.
Neogriphoneura striatifrons
Neogriphoneura striatifrons is a species of lauxaniid fly described by Hendel in 1932. The species is known from limited records in the Brazilian Amazon, specifically from Pará and Roraima states. Lauxaniidae are a family of small to medium-sized flies often associated with decomposing plant matter.
Neohirmoneura
Neohirmoneura is a genus of tangle-veined flies in the family Nemestrinidae. The genus was established by Bequaert in 1920. Taxonomic status remains contested: Catalogue of Life treats it as a synonym of Hirmoneura, while GBIF and iNaturalist recognize it as accepted. The genus is rarely encountered, with only 46 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Neoitamus flavofemoratus
Yellow-thighed Bentbristle
Neoitamus flavofemoratus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. The common name "Yellow-thighed Bentbristle" refers to the distinctive yellow coloration on the femora. As with other robber flies, it is a predatory species. It has been documented in over 1,100 observations on iNaturalist.
Neoitamus orphne
Dark Bentbristle
Neoitamus orphne is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Dark Bentbristle. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies characterized by their robust build and predatory behavior. The species has been documented in North America, particularly in the northeastern United States.
Neolasioptera cornicola
Neolasioptera cornicola is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Beutenmüller in 1907. As a member of the genus Neolasioptera, it is associated with inducing galls on plants. The species has been recorded from the northeastern United States.
Neolasioptera impatientifolia
Neolasioptera impatientifolia is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Felt in 1907. The species forms galls on jewelweed (Impatiens species), with the specific epithet reflecting this host association. It is one of numerous Neolasioptera species specialized on particular host plants. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States.
Neolasioptera imprimata
Neolasioptera imprimata is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae. The species has been documented in association with specific host plants, forming characteristic gall structures. As with other members of the genus Neolasioptera, it is presumed to be a specialist on particular plant species, though detailed ecological studies remain limited. The species was described based on morphological characteristics of adult specimens.
Neolasioptera lycopi
Neolasioptera lycopi is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Felt in 1907. The specific epithet "lycopi" indicates an association with plants in the genus Lycopus (water horehound). As with other members of its genus, this species likely induces gall formation on its host plant, though specific gall morphology remains undocumented in available sources. The species has been recorded in the northeastern United States.
Neolasioptera nodulosa
nodular stem gall midge
Neolasioptera nodulosa is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, commonly known as the nodular stem gall midge. The species induces characteristic nodular galls on host plant stems. It was first described by Beutenmüller in 1907. As a member of the gall midge family, it is part of a diverse group of flies whose larvae develop within plant tissue, causing distinctive growth deformities.
Neolasioptera willistoni
Neolasioptera willistoni is a species of gall midge (family Cecidomyiidae) described by Cockerell in 1898. Originally described as Lasioptera willistoni, it was later transferred to the genus Neolasioptera. As a gall midge, this species is presumed to induce gall formation on plant tissue during its larval development, though specific host plants and gall morphology remain undocumented in available sources. The species has been recorded in observation databases but detailed biological studies are limited.
Neoleria
Neoleria is a genus of true flies in the family Heleomyzidae, established by Malloch in 1919. The genus comprises approximately 16 described species. Members of Heleomyzidae are generally small to medium-sized flies associated with decaying organic matter. Neoleria species have been recorded from northern Europe and North America.
Neolimnophila placida
Placid Crane Fly
Neolimnophila placida is a crane fly species in the family Limoniidae, subfamily Chioneinae. It is widely distributed across the Holarctic region, occurring in both the Nearctic and Palaearctic realms. The species has been documented from northern North America through much of Europe and across northern Asia to Japan. Like other limoniid crane flies, it is associated with moist habitats where larvae develop in decaying organic matter.
Neomochtherus comosus
Neomochtherus comosus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hine in 1918. It belongs to the tribe Neomochtherini within the subfamily Asilinae. Like other robber flies, it is a predatory insect. Very few observations of this species have been recorded.
Neomochtherus latipennis
Neomochtherus latipennis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hine in 1909. As a member of the tribe Neomochtherini, it belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their hunting behavior. The species has been documented through 76 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists. Like other robber flies, it likely plays a role as an aerial predator in its habitat.
Neomochtherus piceus
Neomochtherus piceus is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Hine in 1909. It belongs to the tribe Neomochtherini within the subfamily Asilinae. The genus Neomochtherus comprises predatory flies found in grassland habitats. Based on iNaturalist records, this species has been documented in at least 28 observations, indicating it is not exceptionally rare but remains poorly studied in the scientific literature.
Neoparentia caudata
Neoparentia caudata is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Sympycninae. First described by Van Duzee in 1917, this species is currently accepted in the genus Neoparentia. The genus Neoparentia is part of the diverse Dolichopodidae family, which comprises thousands of species of predatory flies known for their elongated legs. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Neophyllomyza
A genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The Nearctic fauna comprises two species: N. quadricornis and N. gaulti. Both species are saproxylic, with larvae developing in decaying wood of hardwood trees. Adults are associated with decaying logs and show distinct temporal and ecological partitioning despite sympatric distributions.
Neossos
Neossos is a genus of acalyptrate flies in the family Heleomyzidae. The genus is rarely collected and contains at least six described species distributed across the Nearctic region and western Europe. Most specimens have been collected from or reared in association with bird nests, where larvae develop as saprophages in nest material. The genus represents a specialized ecological association with avian nesting habitats.
Neossos tombstonensis
Neossos tombstonensis is a recently described species of small acalyptrate fly in the family Heleomyzidae, endemic to the Yukon Territory, Canada. It is the fourth described Nearctic species of the rarely collected genus Neossos. The species is extremely small (1.9–2.1 mm) and was described from only two specimens collected by sweeping vegetation in subarctic habitats. Despite the collection method, the species is hypothesized to be an obligate associate of bird nests based on consistent habits documented across other members of the genus.
Neotephritis
sunflower seed maggot
Neotephritis is a genus of tephritid fruit flies established by Hendel in 1935. The genus contains approximately 12 described species distributed in the Americas. At least one species, Neotephritis finalis, is a documented pest of cultivated sunflowers, with larvae feeding within developing flower heads and reducing seed set. Adults are characterized by patterned wings typical of Tephritidae, often with dark markings and hyaline spots.
Nephrocerinae
Nephrocerinae is a subfamily of big-headed flies within the family Pipunculidae. The group contains at least two described genera: the extant Nephrocerus (tribe Nephrocerini) and the fossil genus †Priabona from the Eocene Florissant Formation. Members of this subfamily are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented compared to other pipunculid lineages.
Nephrotoma alterna
Nephrotoma alterna is a large crane fly species in the family Tipulidae. It occurs across North America from Canada through the United States. The species was originally described by Francis Walker in 1848 under the basionym Tipula alterna. Like other members of the genus Nephrotoma, it is characterized by its substantial body size relative to many other crane flies.
Nephrotoma altissima
Nephrotoma altissima is a species of large crane fly in the family Tipulidae. It occurs across northern and western North America, ranging from Alaska and northern Canada south to Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico. As a member of the genus Nephrotoma, it belongs to a group commonly known as tiger crane flies, which are distinguished by patterned wings and bodies.
Nephrotoma eucera
large crane fly
Nephrotoma eucera is a species of large crane fly in the family Tipulidae. The species was originally described as Pachyrhina eucera by Loew in 1863. It is distributed across eastern North America, from the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast. The genus Nephrotoma is characterized by distinctive wing venation and body patterning that separate it from other crane fly genera.
Nephrotoma ferruginea
Ferruginous Tiger Crane Fly
Nephrotoma ferruginea is a large crane fly in the family Tipulidae, commonly known as the Ferruginous Tiger Crane Fly. The species was described by Fabricius in 1805 and includes two recognized subspecies: N. f. ferruginea and N. f. surtularis. It is widely distributed across North America, with records extending from Alaska and northern Canada south to Arizona, Texas, and the southeastern United States, and has also been documented in parts of Europe including the Netherlands and Spain.
Nephrotoma occipitalis
spotted-winged crane fly
Nephrotoma occipitalis is a species of large crane fly in the family Tipulidae. It belongs to the genus Nephrotoma, a group of crane flies commonly known as tiger crane flies due to their distinctive yellow and black coloration. The species has a wide distribution across North America and parts of the Russian Far East.
Nephrotoma virescens
green-striped crane fly
Nephrotoma virescens is a species of large crane fly in the family Tipulidae, characterized by greenish coloration. The species is distributed across eastern North America, from the Great Lakes region through the southeastern United States. Like other crane flies, adults are typically encountered during warmer months and are often found in moist habitats near larval development sites.
Nephrotoma wulpiana
Wulp's tiger crane fly
Nephrotoma wulpiana is a tiger crane fly species in the family Tipulidae, historically treated as a subspecies of Nephrotoma suturalis. It is found in the southeastern and south-central United States. The species exhibits the elongated legs and slender body characteristic of crane flies. It has been observed in 2340 records on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented.
Neriidae
cactus flies, banana stalk flies, banana flies
Neriidae is a family of true flies (Diptera) comprising approximately 100 species in 19 genera. Formerly treated as a subfamily of Micropezidae, Neriidae are distinguished by their unreduced fore legs. Adults are slender, long-legged flies with elongated bodies and heads, particularly in males. The family exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism and is notable for spectacular male combat behavior. Neriidae are primarily tropical in distribution, with limited representation in temperate regions of North America and Australia.
Neurigona aestiva
Neurigona aestiva is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It was described by Van Duzee in 1913. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, with only four records documented on iNaturalist. The genus Neurigona belongs to a diverse family of predatory flies characterized by their elongated legs and metallic coloration.
Nevadasilus blantoni
Nevadasilus blantoni is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the genus Nevadasilus. It is a predatory dipteran endemic to the western United States, specifically associated with Nevada and surrounding arid regions. The species is named in honor of entomologist John Blanton. As with other Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though detailed studies of its biology remain limited.
Nicocles bromleyi
Nicocles bromleyi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by George H. Hardy in 1943. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of relatively small and slender asilids. The genus Nicocles is restricted to the New World, with species distributed primarily in arid and semi-arid regions. This species is poorly known, with no documented observations in major biodiversity databases and limited published biological information.
Nicocles canadensis
Nicocles canadensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Charles Howard Curran in 1923. As a member of the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, it belongs to a group of relatively small, slender robber flies. The genus Nicocles contains several North American species, with N. canadensis representing one of the documented members of this genus. Like other asilids, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Nicocles dives
Nicocles dives is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) first described by Hermann Loew in 1866. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of predatory flies characterized by their stout bodies and aggressive hunting behavior. The species is part of the diverse genus Nicocles, which contains multiple species distributed across various regions. As with other robber flies, N. dives is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific behavioral observations remain limited in the available literature.
Nicocles pictus
Nicocles pictus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1866. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and the genus Nicocles. The species is part of a diverse group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. As with other Asilidae, it is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Nicocles politus
Nicocles politus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1823 as Dasypogon politus. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. The genus Nicocles is a small group within the diverse robber fly family, which comprises predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. Very little species-specific information has been published about N. politus.
Nicocles utahensis
Nicocles utahensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1920. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of small to medium-sized robber flies. The species epithet "utahensis" indicates its association with the state of Utah. Like other robber flies, it is a predatory insect that hunts other insects in flight.