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
Pherocera flavipes
Pherocera flavipes is a species of stiletto fly in the family Therevidae, described by Cole in 1923. It belongs to the subfamily Phycusinae. The species epithet 'flavipes' refers to yellow legs. Stiletto flies are predatory as larvae and typically associated with sandy or loose soil habitats where their larvae hunt other invertebrates.
Philygria debilis
shore fly
Philygria debilis is a species of shore fly in the family Ephydridae, first described by Loew in 1861. Shore flies in this family are generally small, often abundant insects associated with moist or aquatic habitats. The genus Philygria contains multiple species, though detailed biological information for P. debilis specifically remains limited in published literature.
Phlebosotera
Phlebosotera is a genus of small flies in the family Asteiidae, established by Duda in 1927. Members of this family are generally minute, delicate flies associated with decaying plant matter and fungi. The genus is poorly documented in published literature, with limited species-level information available.
Pholeomyia
freeloader flies
Pholeomyia is a genus of freeloader flies in the family Milichiidae, comprising more than 30 described species. The genus is notable for its myrmecophilous associations, particularly with leaf-cutting ants. At least one species, P. comans, has been documented as an inquiline in nests of Atta texana, where larvae develop in underground detritus cavities.
Phora
scuttle flies, hump-backed flies
Phora is a genus of scuttle flies in the family Phoridae, containing at least 90 described species. These small, hump-backed flies are characterized by their distinctive thoracic hump and reduced wing venation. The genus has a primarily Holarctic distribution, with records from Scandinavia and other northern regions. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Phoridae family, which includes species with varied ecological roles including decomposers, parasitoids, and associates of social insects.
Phoridae
scuttle flies, humpbacked flies, coffin flies
Phoridae is a family of small, hump-backed flies commonly known as scuttle flies, humpbacked flies, or coffin flies. The family contains approximately 4,000 described species in 230 genera, making it one of the most diverse families of Diptera. Members are characterized by their distinctive escape behavior of running rapidly across surfaces rather than flying, and by a pronounced thoracic hump visible in lateral view. The family exhibits extraordinary biological diversity, with lifestyles ranging from scavenging and fungivory to parasitism of social insects, including highly specialized ant parasitoids in the genus Pseudacteon that are used for biological control of invasive fire ants.
Phorinae
Phorinae is a subfamily of scuttle flies (family Phoridae) containing at least 90 described species across 13 genera. The group includes the type genus Phora, established by Latreille in 1796. Members of this subfamily are small, humpbacked flies with reduced wing venation characteristic of the family. The subfamily was established by Curtis in 1833.
Phoroctenia vittata
Tiger Cranefly
Phoroctenia vittata, commonly known as the Tiger Cranefly, is a species of crane fly in the family Tipulidae. It belongs to the subfamily Ctenophorinae, which includes some of the most visually distinctive crane flies. The species has been recorded from Scandinavia, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It is one of approximately 534 observations documented on iNaturalist, indicating moderate but not extensive documentation of its occurrence and biology.
Phoroctenia vittata angustipennis
Phoroctenia vittata angustipennis is a subspecies of crane fly in the family Tipulidae. It belongs to the subfamily Ctenophorinae, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features. The subspecies was described by Loew in 1872. Available records indicate a limited distribution in northern Europe, specifically Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Phrosinella aldrichi
Phrosinella aldrichi is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. The species was described by Allen in 1926. Like other miltogrammine flies, it is known to parasitize the nests of solitary wasps. It has been specifically reported as a parasite of the nests of the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata (formerly Ochleroptera bipunctata), where adult females enter burrows and deposit live larvae that feed on paralyzed prey stored by the host wasp.
Phrosinella aurifacies
Phrosinella aurifacies is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is known as a kleptoparasite of the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. Adult females enter wasp burrows and deposit live larvae that feed on the paralyzed prey stored by the host wasp, often destroying the wasp egg or larva in the process. The species was described by Downes in 1985.
Phryxe vulgaris
Phryxe vulgaris is a species of tachinid fly distributed across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships for this species are not well documented in the available literature. The species was first described by Fallén in 1810 under the basionym Tachina vulgaris.
Phthiriinae
Phthiriinae is a subfamily of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) established by Becker in 1913. The subfamily comprises approximately 11 genera and over 120 described species, though estimates vary across sources. Members are distributed across multiple continents including records from Iran, with at least one species (Phthiria fulva) documented as a parasitoid of Lepidoptera. The immature stages remain poorly known, with the pupa of Phthiria fulva representing the first described immature stage for the genus Phthiria.
Phyllodromia
dance flies
Phyllodromia is a genus of dance flies in the family Empididae, established by Zetterstedt in 1837. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in Europe and North America. Species within this genus are small to medium-sized predatory flies. Several species were described by Plant in 2005, indicating ongoing taxonomic work.
Phyllodromia americana
Phyllodromia americana is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, described by Melander in 1947. As a member of the tribe Chelipodini within the subfamily Empidinae, this species belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies commonly known as dance flies due to their distinctive swarming behavior during mating. The genus Phyllodromia is characterized by specific morphological adaptations, though detailed biological information for this particular species remains limited in available literature.
Phyllolabis
Phyllolabis is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae, subfamily Limnophilinae. The genus was established by Osten Sacken in 1877 and contains approximately 50 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Larval and pupal stages were first described in 2017 for P. mongolica, revealing morphological similarities to Austrolimnophila, Epiphragma, and Dactylolabis. Based on immature stage characters, Phyllolabis has been reclassified as a basal lineage within Limnophilinae s.l.
Phyllomydas
Phyllomydas is a genus of mydas flies (family Mydidae) established by Bigot in 1880. The genus contains seven described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are among the larger dipterans, though specific ecological and biological details remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Phyllomydas parvulus
Phyllomydas parvulus is a species of mydas fly (family Mydidae) in the order Diptera. The species was originally described as Midas parvulus by Westwood in 1841 before being transferred to the genus Phyllomydas. It is known from Florida. Mydas flies are generally among the largest flies in North America, though specific size information for this species is not documented in available sources.
Phyllomyza
freeloader flies
Phyllomyza is a genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The genus contains at least 30 described species, first established by Fallén in 1810. These flies are placed in the subfamily Phyllomyzinae. Species in this genus are found in parts of northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Phyllophilopsis
Phyllophilopsis is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Townsend in 1915. The genus contains at least 16 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Species have been recorded from various localities including Mexico, Central America, and South America. As members of the tribe Blondeliini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Phyllophilopsis nitens
Phyllophilopsis nitens is a species of bristle fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) first described by Coquillett in 1899. Originally placed in the genus Chaetona, it was later transferred to Phyllophilopsis. The species is distributed across North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Physegenua
Physegenua is a genus of small to medium-sized flies in the family Lauxaniidae, a group commonly known as lauxaniid flies. The genus is restricted to the Neotropical region and contains 11 described species. Like other lauxaniids, these flies are likely associated with decaying vegetation and fungi, though specific ecological details for this genus remain poorly documented. The genus was established by Macquart in 1848.
Physegenua obscuripennis
Physegenua obscuripennis is a species of lauxaniid fly described by Bigot in 1857. The genus Physegenua contains small to medium-sized flies in the family Lauxaniidae, a group characterized by often patterned wings and bodies. Records of this species are sparse, with limited observational data available.
Physocephala burgessi
thick-headed fly
Physocephala burgessi is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Like other members of its genus, it is a parasitoid of bees and wasps. The species exhibits wasp mimicry in appearance and behavior, including an elongated abdomen resembling a wasp waist and dark pigmentation along the front wing margin that mimics the folded wing appearance of potter wasps at rest.
Physocephala floridana
thick-headed fly
Physocephala floridana is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Members of this genus are known to parasitize bees and wasps, with females attacking hosts in mid-air to deposit eggs between abdominal segments. The larvae develop as internal parasites, eventually killing the host. This species has been recorded from the northeastern United States, including Vermont.
Physocephala sagittaria
thick-headed fly
A species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Adults are wasp mimics that frequent flowers for nectar. Females are known to parasitize bumble bees by forcing eggs between abdominal segments, with larvae developing internally and eventually killing the host. The species occurs in eastern North America.
Physocephala tibialis
thick-headed fly
Physocephala tibialis is a parasitoid fly in the family Conopidae that develops within the abdomens of bees, particularly bumble bees (Bombus spp.). Adults are primarily black with yellow facial markings and thin white abdominal stripes, and are frequently observed near flowering plants where they locate hosts. The species exhibits remarkable host manipulation, inducing infected bees to bury themselves before death, which protects the developing pupa underground.
Physoclypeus coquilletti
A species of fly in the family Lauxaniidae, genus Physoclypeus, originally described by Hendel in 1908 as a replacement name for Lauxania lutea Coquillett. The genus is restricted to the Neotropical region. This species has been redescribed in a 2008 taxonomic revision that included seven new species descriptions for the genus.
Physoconops
thick-headed flies
Physoconops is a genus of thick-headed flies (family Conopidae) containing approximately 13 described species. Members are wasp mimics, resembling potter wasps in appearance and behavior. The genus occurs primarily in the Neotropical and Andean regions, with some species in North America. Like other conopids, Physoconops species are endoparasitoids of bees and aculeate wasps.
Physoconops analis
Physoconops analis is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. It was first described by Fabricius in 1805. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive head morphology. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Physoconops brachyrhynchus
thick-headed fly
Physoconops brachyrhynchus is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits wasp mimicry, resembling potter wasps in appearance. The species is a parasitoid, with females known to attack bees and wasps to deposit eggs. It has been documented in the northeastern United States, including Vermont.
Physoconops bulbirostris
thick-headed fly
Physoconops bulbirostris is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Members of this genus are wasp mimics, resembling potter wasps in body shape and wing coloration. Like other conopids, this species is likely a parasitoid, with females attacking bees or wasps to deposit eggs. The larva develops internally, eventually killing the host.
Physoconops discalis
thick-headed fly
Physoconops discalis is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Members of this family are characterized by their disproportionately large heads relative to body size. The genus Physoconops includes species that are notable mimics of wasps, particularly potter wasps, with elongated abdomens and wing pigmentation patterns that resemble the folded wings of their hymenopteran models. Like other conopids, they are flower-visiting flies with parasitic larval stages.
Physoconops excisus
thick-headed fly
Physoconops excisus is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Like other members of the genus Physoconops, it exhibits wasp mimicry, resembling potter wasps in appearance. Conopid flies are parasitoids, with females attacking bees and wasps to deposit eggs between their abdominal segments. The larvae develop as internal parasites, eventually killing the host.
Physoconops floridanus
Florida physoconops
Physoconops floridanus is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, described by Camras in 1955. The species is endemic to Florida. Thick-headed flies are known for their parasitoid lifestyle, with larvae developing inside other insects, primarily Hymenoptera.
Physoconops fronto
thick-headed fly
Physoconops fronto is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Like other conopids, it exhibits wasp-mimicry in appearance and is known to parasitize bees and wasps. The species was described by Williston in 1885. Members of the genus Physoconops closely resemble potter wasps (Vespidae: Eumeninae) in their elongated abdomen and wing pigmentation patterns.
Physoconops gracilis
Physoconops gracilis is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, a group of parasitoid flies known for their distinctive head shape. The species was described by Williston in 1885. Like other conopids, adults likely visit flowers for nectar. The genus Physoconops contains multiple species that can be challenging to distinguish without detailed examination.
Physoconops nigrimanus
thick-headed fly
Physoconops nigrimanus is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, first described by Bigot in 1887. Members of this genus are wasp mimics with elongated abdomens resembling potter wasps. The family Conopidae includes parasitic species that attack bees and wasps, though specific host records for P. nigrimanus are not documented. Observations of this species are extremely rare, with only two records in iNaturalist.
Physoconops sylvosus
Physoconops sylvosus is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae. Members of this genus are wasp mimics, with elongated abdomens resembling a "wasp waist" and heavily pigmented anterior wing margins that mimic the folded wings of potter wasps at rest. Like other conopids, they possess large heads relative to body size and beak-like mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Gyroconops sylvosus in some taxonomic databases.
Physoconops townsendi
Physoconops townsendi is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, described by Camras in 1955. It belongs to the genus Physoconops, which includes species that mimic potter wasps in appearance. Like other conopid flies, this species is likely a parasitoid, though specific host associations for P. townsendi remain undocumented in the provided sources.
Physoconops weemsi
A species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, described by Camras in 2007. As a member of the genus Physoconops, it likely exhibits wasp-mimicking morphology and parasitic behavior toward Hymenoptera, though species-specific documentation remains limited. The genus is characterized by elongated abdomens resembling potter wasps and heavily pigmented wing margins that mimic the folded wings of resting wasps.
Phytoliriomyza dorsata
Phytoliriomyza dorsata is a species of leaf-miner fly in the family Agromyzidae. It is a small dipteran with wing lengths ranging from 1.9–2.6 mm. The species has a broad distribution across the Palearctic region, with records from Europe, Russia, Iran, and Japan, and has also been reported in North America where it may be introduced.
Phytoliriomyza felti
Phytoliriomyza felti is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, specialized on ferns. The larvae create distinctive mines in fronds of various fern species. It has been documented on Pellaea atropurpurea (purple-stem cliffbrake) and Asplenium species, and likely occurs on additional fern hosts. This species represents one of the relatively few agromyzid flies with documented fern-feeding specialization.
Phytoliriomyza pulchella
Phytoliriomyza pulchella is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. The genus Phytoliriomyza contains fern-feeding specialists, and this species is part of a group of agromyzid flies whose larvae create distinctive mines in fern fronds. Very little published information exists specifically for P. pulchella, though its congeners are well-documented as fern miners.
Phytomyptera tarsalis
Phytomyptera tarsalis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It belongs to the subfamily Tachininae and tribe Graphogastrini. The species was described by Daniel William Coquillett in 1895. As a tachinid fly, it is likely an endoparasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this species have not been documented in the provided sources.
Phytomyza
Phytomyza is a genus of leaf-mining flies in the family Agromyzidae, comprising at least 170 described species. Larvae develop as miners within living plant leaves, creating distinctive serpentine or blotchy galleries between the upper and lower epidermis. Adults are small, typically black or dark-colored flies resembling tiny houseflies. The genus exhibits high host specificity, with individual species often restricted to particular plant genera or families.
Phytomyza aldrichi
Phytomyza aldrichi is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. The species is known from the northeastern United States, with records from Vermont and Idaho. Like other members of the genus Phytomyza, the larvae likely feed internally within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines.
Phytomyza aquilegiana
columbine leafminer
Phytomyza aquilegiana, commonly known as the columbine leafminer, is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species is found in the Southeastern United States, with additional records from Vermont. Like other Phytomyza species, the larvae feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive serpentine mines. The specific host plant associations and detailed biology of this species remain poorly documented compared to its congeners.
Phytomyza confusa
Phytomyza confusa is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2018. Like other members of its genus, it develops as a larva within plant leaf tissue, creating distinctive feeding galleries. The species is part of a diverse group of agromyzid flies whose larvae are specialized herbivores on particular host plants. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and distribution remains limited.
Phytomyza crassiseta
Phytomyza crassiseta is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The genus Phytomyza contains numerous species whose larvae feed internally within leaves, creating distinctive serpentine mines. Specific biological details for P. crassiseta are limited in available sources. Many Phytomyza species are host-specific to particular plant genera or families.