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
Renocera striata
Renocera striata is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, a group commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory or parasitic larval associations with molluscs. The species was described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1830, originally placed in the genus Sciomyza. It is recorded from parts of northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, its biology is likely tied to aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats where gastropod hosts occur, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Resseliella globosa
Copperleaf stem gall midge
Resseliella globosa is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Plakidas in 2016. It is commonly known as the copperleaf stem gall midge and has been documented in 191 iNaturalist observations. The species belongs to a genus that includes several agricultural pests, most notably Resseliella maxima (soybean gall midge), though R. globosa itself is not documented as a crop pest in available sources.
Rhachoepalpus
Rhachoepalpus is a genus of tachinid flies described by Townsend in 1908. The genus comprises approximately 18 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with records from South America including Argentina, Peru, and Brazil. Species were described across several decades, with notable contributions by Townsend (1908–1935), Macquart (1844–1846), and Curran (1947). As members of Tachinidae, these flies are presumably parasitoids, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in available sources.
Rhadiurgus
Rhadiurgus is a genus of robber flies (Asilidae) established by Loew in 1849. The genus contains at least one confirmed species, Rhadiurgus variabilis, which occurs in the Holarctic region. Members of this genus are predatory dipterans that hunt other insects in flight.
Rhagio
snipe flies, downlooker flies, down-looker flies
Rhagio is a worldwide genus of predatory snipe flies (Diptera: Rhagionidae) comprising approximately 170 species. Several species are known as 'downlooker' or 'down-looker' flies due to their habit of perching on tree trunks in a head-down position. The genus can be distinguished from other rhagionids by two key wing characters: an open anal cell and the absence of a kidney-shaped arista. Taxonomic revisions have been published for both eastern and western Nearctic species.
Rhagio albicornis
Rhagio albicornis is a species of snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae, native to the eastern Nearctic region. First described by Say in 1823, the species was taxonomically revised by Chillcott in 1965, who synonymized Rhagio boscii and Xylophagus fasciatus with this species. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies whose larvae develop in soil or decaying organic matter. The species is part of a diverse eastern Nearctic fauna that includes several recently described species such as R. dichromaticus, R. floridensis, and R. orestes.
Rhagio dichromaticus
Rhagio dichromaticus is a species of snipe fly described by J.G. Chillcott in 1965. It is distinguished from congeners by its extremely dark coloration. The species was described from Louisiana and is one of three new species recognized in Chillcott's revision of eastern Nearctic Rhagio species. As a member of the family Rhagionidae, it belongs to a group of predatory or scavenging flies whose larvae typically inhabit moist soil or decaying organic matter.
Rhagio floridensis
Rhagio floridensis is a species of snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae, described by Chillcott in 1965. It is distinguished from other eastern Nearctic Rhagio species by its yellow thorax and distinctively patterned wings. The species is known from Florida and Georgia.
Rhagio hirtus
Rhagio hirtus is a snipe fly species in the family Rhagionidae, recognized as a valid species in the revision of eastern Nearctic Rhagio species. It is closely related to R. orestes, from which it can be distinguished by its paler thorax and abdomen. The species is part of the genus Rhagio, commonly known as snipe flies, which are generally associated with moist woodland habitats.
Rhagio mystaceus
Common Snipe Fly, Down-looker Fly, Downlooker Snipefly
Rhagio mystaceus is a small to medium-sized snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae, commonly known as the Common Snipe Fly or Down-looker Fly. Males measure 7–9 mm and females 6–8 mm. The species exhibits distinctive patterning including three dark dorsal stripes on the thorax, with the central stripe often bearing a thin pale line, and yellowish rings on the abdominal segments. The wings have dark tips. It is found in moist woodland habitats across middle and eastern North America.
Rhagio plumbeus
Lead-colored Snipe Fly
Rhagio plumbeus is a snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae, characterized by its lead-gray coloration that gives the species its name. Adults are medium-sized flies found in moist woodland habitats during late spring and early summer. Like other members of the genus Rhagio, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism in eye structure, with males having holoptic eyes and females having dichoptic eyes. The species is widely distributed across eastern and central North America.
Rhagio punctipennis
lesser variegated snipe fly
Rhagio punctipennis, commonly known as the lesser variegated snipe fly, is a species of snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823. It is part of a diverse genus of predatory flies found primarily in woodland and forest edge habitats across North America.
Rhagionidae
Snipe Flies
Rhagionidae, or snipe flies, is a small family of medium-sized to large flies within the infraorder Tabanomorpha. Members are characterized by slender bodies, stilt-like legs, and often prominent piercing mouthparts. Many species are hematophagous as adults, while others are predatory on other insects. The family name derives from the resemblance of their proboscis to a snipe's beak. Larvae are primarily predatory and mostly terrestrial, though some are aquatic. The genus Rhagio includes species commonly called "down-looker" flies due to their habit of perching head-downward on tree trunks.
Rhagoletis striatella
Rhagoletis striatella is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Wulp in 1899. It belongs to the genus Rhagoletis, a group of tephritid flies known for their association with fruit hosts. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Rhamphomyia brevis
Rhamphomyia brevis is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, first described by Hermann Loew in 1861. The species is placed in the subgenus Pararhamphomyia within the genus Rhamphomyia. Dance flies in this family are characterized by complex mating behaviors involving nuptial gifts, though specific details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Rhamphomyia gilvipes
Rhamphomyia gilvipes is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, described by Loew in 1861. The species belongs to the subgenus Eorhamphomyia within the genus Rhamphomyia. Dance flies in this genus are known for their distinctive courtship behaviors and sexual selection dynamics. The specific epithet 'gilvipes' refers to yellowish or tawny legs.
Rhamphomyia longicauda
Long-tailed Dance Fly
Rhamphomyia longicauda is a dance fly species renowned for its exceptional sex-role reversal in mating behavior. Females form aerial leks at dawn and dusk, displaying inflated abdominal sacs and ornamental leg scales to attract males, who are the choosy sex. Females are obligate recipients of nuptial gifts—prey items captured by males—because they cannot hunt for themselves. This nutritional dependence drives the reversal of typical courtship roles. The species has been extensively studied as a model for sexual selection and the evolution of female ornamentation.
Rhamphomyia luteiventris
Rhamphomyia luteiventris is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, first described by Loew in 1864. As a member of the genus Rhamphomyia, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies known for their distinctive courtship behaviors. The species epithet 'luteiventris' refers to a yellowish or orange-yellow abdomen. Like other empidid flies, it is presumed to be predatory in both adult and larval stages, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Rhamphomyia nana
Rhamphomyia nana is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, first described by Loew in 1861. The species is currently accepted as valid, though it has been treated as a synonym in some taxonomic works. As a member of the genus Rhamphomyia, it belongs to a group known for complex courtship behaviors involving nuptial gifts.
Rhamphomyia sudigeronis
Rhamphomyia sudigeronis is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, first described by Coquillett in 1895. As a member of the genus Rhamphomyia, it belongs to a group of predatory flies known for elaborate courtship behaviors involving nuptial gifts. The species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases, though detailed biological information specific to this species remains limited.
Rhamphomyia testacea
Rhamphomyia testacea is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, described by Loew in 1862. It belongs to the subgenus Eorhamphomyia within the genus Rhamphomyia. Dance flies in this genus are known for their distinctive courtship behaviors involving nuptial gifts. The species is poorly documented in modern literature, with minimal observation records available.
Rhamphomyia vittata
Rhamphomyia vittata is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, described by Loew in 1862. It belongs to the large genus Rhamphomyia, which contains many species known for their distinctive courtship behaviors involving nuptial gifts. Like other members of this genus, males likely present food gifts to females during mating. The species is part of the subgenus Pararhamphomyia.
Rhaphiomidas hasbroucki
Rhaphiomidas hasbroucki is a species of mydas fly described by Cazier in 1985. It belongs to the family Mydidae, a group of large, robust flies often mistaken for wasps. The genus Rhaphiomidas is restricted to western North America and includes several species of conservation concern. This species is one of the lesser-known members of the genus with limited published biological data.
Rhaphium lugubre
Rhaphium lugubre is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. As a member of the Rhaphiinae subfamily, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies known for their elongated legs and agile flight. The genus Rhaphium contains numerous species distributed across the Holarctic region, though specific details about this particular species remain limited in published literature.
Rhaphium melampus
Rhaphium melampus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Rhaphiinae. The species was described by Hermann Loew in 1861. Like other members of the genus Rhaphium, it belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their elongated legs. The species has been documented in iNaturalist with 65 observations, suggesting it is not extremely rare, though detailed biological studies appear limited.
Rhegmoclema edwardsi
Rhegmoclema edwardsi is a species of minute black scavenger fly in the family Scatopsidae, a group of small, dark-colored flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter. The species was described by Collin in 1954. Members of this family are typically found in moist, shaded environments where decomposing vegetation or fungi occur.
Rhegmoclema halteratum
Rhegmoclema halteratum is a minute black fly in the family Scatopsidae, commonly known as minute black scavenger flies or dung midges. The species was described by Meigen in 1838. Members of this genus are characterized by reduced wing venation and are generally associated with decaying organic matter. Like other scatopsids, they are likely decomposers in nutrient cycling, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Rhegmoclematini
Rhegmoclematini is a tribe of minute black scavenger flies (family Scatopsidae) within the subfamily Scatopsinae. These flies are small-bodied dipterans associated with decaying organic matter. The tribe is distinguished by morphological features of the male genitalia, particularly the structure of the claspers. Members are poorly known compared to the related tribe Scatopsini, with limited biological data available.
Rhegmoclemina
Rhegmoclemina is a genus of minute black scavenger flies (Diptera: Scatopsidae) established by Enderlein in 1936. It belongs to the tribe Rhegmoclematini within the subfamily Scatopsinae. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal species-level descriptions and ecological data available. Records indicate presence in Norway and Sweden.
Rhegmoclemina vaginata
Rhegmoclemina vaginata is a species of minute black scavenger fly in the family Scatopsidae, first described by Lundström in 1910. It belongs to the tribe Rhegmoclematini, a group of small dipterans associated with decaying organic matter. The species has been recorded from Norway and Sweden, indicating a Scandinavian distribution pattern. Like other scatopsids, it is likely associated with moist, decomposing substrates in forested environments.
Rhingiini
Rhingiini hoverflies
Rhingiini is a tribe of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) within the subfamily Eristalinae. The tribe contains approximately 13 genera, including the well-known genus Cheilosia and the type genus Rhingia. Members are documented across the Palearctic and other regions, with recent studies expanding known distributions in areas such as Ukraine.
Rhinoleucophenga americana
A species of fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae, originally described as Gitona americana by Patterson in 1943. The genus Rhinoleucophenga includes species associated with ant-plant mutualisms, though specific ecological details for R. americana remain undocumented. The species is rarely recorded, with minimal observational data available.
Rhinophoridae
Woodlouse Flies
Rhinophoridae is a small family of calyptrate flies (Diptera) comprising 33 genera and approximately 177 species. The family is distinguished by a highly specialized life history: larvae are obligate parasitoids of terrestrial isopods (woodlice), a feeding strategy unique among all insects. Adults lack morphological autapomorphies and are difficult to identify without examination of male terminalia or first-instar larvae. The group was historically considered primarily Palaearctic in distribution, but recent sampling has revealed substantial diversity in tropical and southern hemisphere regions.
Rhopalomyia ericameriae
Rosette Bud Gall Midge
Rhopalomyia ericameriae is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, commonly known as the Rosette Bud Gall Midge. The species induces distinctive gall formations on host plants. As a member of the genus Rhopalomyia, it belongs to one of the most diverse genera of gall midges, with many species specialized on Asteraceae hosts.
Rhopalomyia glutinosa
A gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae described by Felt in 1916. As a member of the genus Rhopalomyia, it likely induces galls on host plants, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Rhopalomyia hirtipomum
Rhopalomyia hirtipomum is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. The species was described by Gagné in 1985. It belongs to the subgenus Diarthronomyia within Rhopalomyia. As a member of this genus, it is presumed to induce galls on Asteraceae host plants, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented in the available sources.
Rhopalomyia obovata
Rhopalomyia obovata is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Gagné in 1983. The genus Rhopalomyia is one of the most diverse genera of gall midges, with many species inducing characteristic galls on various host plants. As with other members of this genus, R. obovata likely forms galls on specific host plant tissues, though detailed natural history information for this particular species appears limited in the available literature. The species is recognized as valid by GBIF and Catalogue of Life, with 266 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Rhopalomyia sulcata
Rhopalomyia sulcata is a gall midge species in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Raymond Gagné in 1995. As a member of the genus Rhopalomyia, this species is associated with inducing galls on host plants, though specific host associations for R. sulcata remain poorly documented. The genus is taxonomically diverse with many species specialized on particular plant genera, especially in the Asteraceae.
Rhopalopterum
frit flies
Rhopalopterum is a genus of small frit flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Duda in 1929. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in the Holarctic region. Species within this genus are morphologically similar to other chloropids, with most described during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The genus is taxonomically placed within the subfamily Oscinellinae and tribe Oscinisomatini.
Rhopalopterum atriceps
Rhopalopterum atriceps is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Loew in 1863. The genus Rhopalopterum comprises small, often dark-colored flies associated with grasses and sedges. Like other chloropids, members of this genus are generally inconspicuous and poorly studied, with limited biological data available. The specific epithet 'atriceps' refers to the black head characteristic of this species.
Rhopalosyrphus ramulorum
Bare-bellied Squeezetail
Rhopalosyrphus ramulorum is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, described by Weems and Deyrup in 2003. It belongs to the subfamily Microdontinae, a group known for their unusual larval biology involving association with ant colonies. The species is known by the common name Bare-bellied Squeezetail. Information about this species remains limited, with only five documented observations on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Rhynchanthrax
bee flies
Rhynchanthrax is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) native to North America. The genus was established by Painter in 1933 and contains seven described species. These flies are members of the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini.
Rhyncophoromyia
Rhyncophoromyia is a genus of scuttle flies in the family Phoridae, first described by Malloch in 1923. The genus comprises at least twelve described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. At least one species, R. maculineura, has been documented as an ant parasite. The genus belongs to the subfamily Metopininae, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and often associated with social insect hosts.
Rhynencina longirostris
Rhynencina longirostris is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Johnson in 1922. The species belongs to the tribe Myopitini within the subfamily Tephritinae. As a tephritid fruit fly, it likely shares the family's characteristic biology associated with plant hosts, though specific details remain poorly documented. The species is known from the United States.
Rhypholophus
Rhypholophus is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae, subfamily Chioneinae. The genus comprises approximately 21 described species distributed across Europe and North America. Species were described primarily in the 20th century, with the earliest description dating to Meigen (1818) for R. varius and the type species R. phryganopterus described by Kolenati in 1860.
Rhysophora robusta
Rhysophora robusta is a species of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, described by Cresson in 1924. The genus Rhysophora belongs to the diverse family of brine flies and shore flies, which are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species. The single iNaturalist observation suggests it remains rarely encountered or underreported.
Ribesia
Ribesia is a genus of gall midges (family Cecidomyiidae) established by Gagné in 2016. The genus name derives from its host association with Ribes (currants and gooseberries). As a member of the Cecidomyiidae, species in this genus are likely to induce galls on their host plants, though specific gall morphology and species-level biology require direct observation.
Richardiidae
Richardiidae is a small family of acalyptrate flies in the superfamily Tephritoidea, comprising over 30 genera and approximately 175 species. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with most species occurring in tropical regions of the Americas. General biology remains poorly known, though larvae of some species feed on living plant tissue, pollen, or decaying plant material. Adults are frequently observed on vegetation and are characterized by conspicuously patterned wings and often metallic body coloration.
Rivellia cognata
Rivellia cognata is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Cresson in 1919. Signal flies are characterized by their distinctive wing movements used for intraspecific communication. This species belongs to a genus whose members are associated with leguminous plants, though specific biological details for R. cognata remain poorly documented.
Rivellia conjuncta
Rivellia conjuncta is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Loew in 1873. Signal flies are recognized for their distinctive wing-waving behavior, which serves as intraspecific communication for mate recruitment. The genus Rivellia includes species associated with leguminous plants, with larvae typically feeding on root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Specific biological details for R. conjuncta remain poorly documented in available literature.