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
Sciophila
fungus gnat
Sciophila is a genus of fungus gnats in the family Mycetophilidae, established by Meigen in 1818. These small flies are characterized by their association with fungal habitats and shadowy environments. The genus includes both widespread Palaearctic species and Neotropical species that have been intercepted as glasshouse contaminants. Species such as Sciophila holopaineni from Finnish Lapland and S. fractinervis from the Neotropics demonstrate the genus's broad geographic range and ecological diversity.
Sciophilinae
fungus gnats
Sciophilinae is a subfamily of fungus gnats within the family Mycetophilidae, comprising at least 40 genera and 340 described species. Members are found in humid environments, often associated with decaying wood and fungi. The subfamily has a global distribution with significant diversity in Neotropical, Nearctic, and Palearctic regions. Natural history information remains limited for most species.
Scleropogon bradleyi
Scleropogon bradleyi is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory dipterans known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was originally described as Stenopogon bradleyi by Bromley in 1937 before being transferred to the genus Scleropogon. As with other asilids, it likely preys on other insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Scleropogon comprises medium to large robber flies found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America.
Scleropogon cinerascens
Scleropogon cinerascens is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Back in 1909. Originally described as Stenopogon cinerascens, it was later transferred to the genus Scleropogon. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their robust build, large eyes, and raptorial legs adapted for capturing prey in flight. The specific epithet 'cinerascens' refers to an ash-grey or ashen coloration, likely describing the species' appearance. As with other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Scleropogon coyote
Scleropogon coyote is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1931. The genus Scleropogon comprises predatory flies characterized by their distinctive elongated morphology and aggressive hunting behavior. As a member of this genus, S. coyote likely exhibits the typical asilid predatory lifestyle, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Scleropogon dispar
Scleropogon dispar is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Bromley in 1937. The genus Scleropogon belongs to a diverse family of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species.
Scleropogon floridensis
Scleropogon floridensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1951. The genus Scleropogon comprises predatory flies characterized by their elongated bodies and distinctive leg morphology. This species is part of a group of asilids that inhabit sandy or scrub environments. As with other robber flies, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Scleropogon huachucanus
Scleropogon huachucanus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hardy in 1942. The specific epithet references the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, suggesting a southwestern U.S. distribution. Like other Asilidae, this species is presumed to be a predatory fly, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Scleropogon is characterized by distinctive morphological features including a bearded face and elongated body form.
Scleropogon neglectus
Scleropogon neglectus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the genus Scleropogon. The species was described by Bromley in 1931, originally placed in the genus Stenopogon. Robber flies in this genus are characterized by their distinctive elongated, beak-like proboscis used for capturing and subduing prey. The genus Scleropogon is notable among Asilidae for its specialized morphology and predatory habits.
Scleropogon picticornis
Scleropogon picticornis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, a group of predatory true flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species was described by Hermann Loew in 1866. Like other Asilidae, it possesses a stout body, strong legs with spines for capturing prey, and a distinctive concave facial profile between the eyes. The specific epithet 'picticornis' refers to the painted or marked antennae characteristic of this species.
Scleropogon texanus
Scleropogon texanus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) originally described by Bromley in 1931. The species has been reclassified under the genus Stenopogon in some taxonomic treatments, though it remains listed under Scleropogon in other sources. Robber flies in this group are predatory insects known for their active hunting behavior. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Scoliocentra tincta
Scoliocentra tincta is a species of fly in the family Heleomyzidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1849. Members of this family are commonly known as heleomyzid flies and are generally associated with decaying organic matter. The genus Scoliocentra is distributed across the Holarctic region. Specific ecological details for S. tincta remain poorly documented.
Seioptera
Seioptera is a genus of picture-winged flies (family Ulidiidae) established by Kirby & Spence in 1817. The genus contains five recognized species distributed across parts of Europe and North America. Like other ulidiids, members of this genus are characterized by their patterned wings. The genus has been documented in Scandinavia, Denmark, and the northeastern United States.
Senopterina
signal flies
Senopterina is a genus of signal flies in the family Platystomatidae, established by Macquart in 1835. The genus contains approximately 17 described species. Signal flies in this family are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and often flattened body shapes. Members of Senopterina are found in various regions, though specific distribution details for the genus as a whole remain incompletely documented.
Senopterina caerulescens
signal fly
Senopterina caerulescens is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Loew in 1873. Signal flies are named for their distinctive wing movements used in courtship displays. The species is part of a diverse family of true flies known for elaborate behavioral displays and often striking coloration.
Senopterina foxleei
signal fly
Senopterina foxleei is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Shewell in 1962. Signal flies are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and behaviors involving wing signaling. The species is part of a genus distributed primarily in the Nearctic region. Observations suggest it is an active, diurnal fly often found in wooded or forested habitats.
Senopterina mexicana
Senopterina mexicana is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Macquart in 1844. Platystomatid flies are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and are commonly known as signal flies due to their habit of waving their wings while walking. The genus Senopterina is part of this diverse family of true flies, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Senopterina varia
Senopterina varia is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Coquillett in 1900. Signal flies are known for their distinctive wing patterns and courtship behaviors involving wing signaling. The genus Senopterina is part of a diverse family of acalyptrate flies found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.
Sepedomerus
marsh flies
Sepedomerus is a genus of marsh flies in the family Sciomyzidae, established by Steyskal in 1973. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across multiple continents. One species, S. macropus, has been documented as a predator of liver fluke snails, indicating a role in biological control of trematode parasites. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Tetanocerini tribe within the marsh fly family.
Sepedon
Snail-killing Flies
Sepedon is a genus of marsh flies in the family Sciomyzidae, commonly known as snail-killing flies. The genus contains approximately 70 described species distributed across multiple subgenera. All species share a distinctive life history: larvae are obligate predators or parasitoids of aquatic pulmonate snails. Adults are slender, elongate flies found in association with freshwater habitats. Several species have been investigated as potential biological control agents for snails that serve as intermediate hosts of schistosomes and other trematode parasites.
Sepedon americana
American snail-killing fly
Sepedon americana is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, commonly known as snail-killing flies. The species was described by Steyskal in 1951. Like all members of the genus Sepedon, its larvae are obligate predators of aquatic pulmonate snails. The species occurs in North America and has been documented in regions including Colorado. Adults are active early in the year, with observations in February recorded.
Sepedon armipes
marsh fly
Sepedon armipes is a North American species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, commonly known as snail-killing flies. Like other members of its genus, its larvae are aquatic predators of pulmonate snails. The species exhibits early-season activity, with adults observed active as early as February.
Sepedon gracilicornis
snail-killing fly
Sepedon gracilicornis is a species of snail-killing fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Orth in 1986. It belongs to a genus of approximately twenty North American species whose larvae are obligate predators of aquatic pulmonate snails. The species has been documented through limited observations, with records indicating presence in wetland and aquatic edge habitats.
Sepedon tenuicornis
marsh fly
Sepedon tenuicornis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Cresson in 1920. Like other members of the genus Sepedon, this species has aquatic predatory larvae that feed on pulmonate snails. The genus comprises approximately 20 recognized species in North America, arranged into species groups based on shared morphological characteristics. Adults are slender flies with elongated bodies, concave faces, and prominent antennae.
Sepsidae
black scavenger flies, ensign flies
Sepsidae is a family of small, slender flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as black scavenger flies or ensign flies. The family contains over 300 described species worldwide. Adults are typically found on mammal excrement, decaying animal and plant material, and carrion, where they feed and oviposit. Many species exhibit a distinctive wing-waving behavior while walking. The family plays a significant ecological role as decomposers and has forensic and hygienic relevance due to their association with feces and decaying matter.
Sepsis
black scavenger flies, ensign flies
Sepsis is a genus of small flies in the family Sepsidae, commonly known as black scavenger flies or ensign flies. These flies are characterized by their distinctive wing-waving behavior and association with decaying organic matter. The genus contains numerous species distributed across temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Adults are typically black with silvery or metallic markings and possess a characteristic humpbacked appearance.
Sericomyia chalcopyga
Sericomyia chalcopyga is a species of syrphid fly (hoverfly) in the family Syrphidae. As a member of the tribe Sericomyiini, its larvae are "rat-tailed maggots" with extensible posterior breathing siphons adapted to aquatic environments. The species was described by Loew in 1863. Like other Sericomyia species, adults are pollinators that visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Sericomyia vockerothi
Vockeroth's Pond Fly
Sericomyia vockerothi is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, described by Skevington in 2012. The genus Sericomyia belongs to the tribe Milesiini (formerly Sericomyiini), a group whose larvae are known as "rat-tailed maggots" due to their distinctive posterior breathing siphon. Larvae of related Sericomyia species inhabit bog mat pools and other aquatic environments with organic matter. Adults are pollinators that visit flowers for nectar and pollen. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with only five observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the available data.
Sericomyia woodi
Sericomyia woodi is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, described by Nielsen and Vockeroth in 2000. As a member of the genus Sericomyia, it belongs to a group of large, often wasp-mimicking hoverflies commonly known as bog or fen flies due to their typical wetland associations. The species epithet 'woodi' honors Nelson R. Wood, a taxidermist at the U.S. National Museum who collected the type specimen in 1912.
Sericomyiina
Sericomyiina is a subtribe of hoverflies within the family Syrphidae. Members are small to medium-sized flies, often with metallic coloration. The subtribe includes the genera Sericomyia and Arctophila, which are found primarily in temperate and boreal regions.
Setacera
Setacera is a genus of shore flies (family Ephydridae) established by Cresson in 1930. The genus occurs in multiple continents including Australia, where at least one species (S. breviventris) has been documented. As ephydrid flies, members of this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Setomima
Setomima is a genus of moth flies (Psychodidae) described by Enderlein in 1937. It belongs to the tribe Brunettiini within the subfamily Psychodinae. The genus is characterized by specific wing venation patterns and setal arrangements that distinguish it from related psychodid genera. Species in this genus are small, delicate flies with hairy bodies and wings, typical of the family Psychodidae.
Silvius abdominalis
Silvius abdominalis is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Philip in 1954. The species is classified within the subgenus Griseosilvius of the genus Silvius. Like other deer flies, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar. The species is known from the United States.
Silvius jeanae
Silvius jeanae is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Pechuman in 1960. The genus Silvius belongs to the subfamily Pangoniinae, a group of horse flies characterized by elongated mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding in many species. Like other members of the genus, S. jeanae likely exhibits the slender body form and reduced eye contact typical of Pangoniinae. The species epithet honors an individual named Jeana, following the pattern of several Silvius species named after women.
Silvius pollinosus
horse fly, deer fly
Silvius pollinosus is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Williston in 1880. It belongs to the subfamily Chrysopsinae and is classified within the genus Silvius. The species is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology remain limited.
Silvius sayi
Silvius sayi is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Brennan in 1935. It belongs to the subfamily Chrysopsinae, which includes the deer flies and horse flies. The species is placed in the genus Silvius, a group of biting flies known for their blood-feeding habits. Information about this specific species is limited in available sources.
Simulium annulus
Ringed Black Fly
Simulium annulus is a species of black fly in the family Simuliidae, first described by Lundstrom in 1911 under the basionym Melusina annula. It belongs to the large genus Simulium, which comprises blood-feeding dipterans commonly known as black flies or buffalo gnats. The common name "Ringed Black Fly" suggests a distinctive annular marking pattern, though specific morphological details are not well documented in available sources. Like other simuliids, it likely has an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult stage.
Simulium clarum
black fly
Simulium clarum is a species of black fly in the family Simuliidae. The genus Simulium is the largest and most widespread genus of black flies, with species occurring across diverse habitats. Black flies are small, blood-feeding dipterans whose larvae develop in flowing water. Female black flies require blood meals for egg development and are known vectors of parasites affecting birds and mammals.
Simulium fibrinflatum
Inflated Gnat
Simulium fibrinflatum, commonly known as the inflated gnat, is a species of black fly in the family Simuliidae. It was described by Twinn in 1936. As a member of the genus Simulium, it shares the typical characteristics of black flies, including small size and aquatic larval development in flowing water. No species-specific biological details have been documented in the available sources.
Simulium longithallum
black fly
Simulium longithallum is a species of black fly in the family Simuliidae, described by Díaz Nájera and Vulcano in 1962. Black flies in this genus are small, blood-feeding dipterans with aquatic larval and pupal stages. Females require blood meals for egg development, while males do not feed on blood. The species is part of a diverse genus containing numerous vectors of disease agents affecting birds and mammals.
Simulium trivittatum
black fly
Simulium trivittatum is a species of black fly in the family Simuliidae. The species belongs to a genus known for transmitting blood parasites that cause leucocytozoonosis, a malaria-like disease in birds. Like other black flies, females are blood-feeders that use jagged mandibles to tear skin and pool blood. The species was described by Malloch in 1913.
Sintoria
Sintoria is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Hull in 1962. The genus contains approximately six described species, all described between 1962 and 1972. Species within this genus are distributed in the Americas, with records from western North America and Central America.
Sintoria cyanea
Sintoria cyanea is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1972. As a member of the diverse robber fly family, it belongs to a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior and stout, powerful build. The genus Sintoria is part of the Asilidae, one of the largest families within Diptera with over 7,000 described species worldwide.
Sintoria emeralda
Sintoria emeralda is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hull in 1962. The specific epithet 'emeralda' suggests a green coloration. As a member of Asilidae, this species is a predatory fly. Information regarding its biology, distribution, and ecology remains extremely limited in published sources.
Siphona
Siphona is a genus of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Meigen in 1803. The genus contains numerous species distributed across Europe, North America, and other regions. Taxonomic relationships within Siphona remain complex, with subgenera such as Aphantorhaphopsis and Ceranthia sometimes treated as distinct genera by European workers. Species within Siphona are parasitoids, with documented associations including Siphona geniculata as a parasite of crane fly larvae (Tipula paludosa).
Siphonini
Siphonini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the family Tachinidae, subfamily Tachininae. The tribe comprises approximately 19 genera, including the type genus Siphona Meigen, 1803. Members are parasitoid flies, with larvae that develop within host insects. The tribe has been documented across multiple continents based on iNaturalist observations.
Siphosturmia
Siphosturmia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Coquillett in 1897. The genus comprises eleven described species distributed across the Americas. At least one species, S. rafaeli, has been documented as a parasitoid of lepidopteran larvae, specifically Diatraea saccharalis. Like other tachinids, members of this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of arthropods, though species-level biological data remain sparse.
Smidtia
Smidtia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises approximately 22 described species distributed across the Palearctic region, with particularly strong representation in East Asia, Europe, and southern Africa. Species have been documented from Scandinavia, Russia, Japan, China, and South Africa. As members of the tribe Winthemiini, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Smidtia fumiferanae
Smidtia fumiferanae is a tachinid fly species described by Tothill in 1912. It belongs to the tribe Winthemiini within the subfamily Exoristinae. The species epithet 'fumiferanae' indicates an association with Choristoneura fumiferana, the spruce budworm, suggesting it may be a parasitoid of this economically important forest pest. The species has been recorded in GBIF with limited observation data.
Sobarocephala
Sobarocephala is a genus of flies in the family Clusiidae, containing more than 110 described species. The genus is primarily distributed in the Oriental and Afrotropical regions, with additional records from Japan, Nepal, and northern Australia. Old World species predominantly belong to the S. plumicornis species group, though representatives of the New World-associated S. flava and S. flaviseta groups also occur. The genus has been documented from Australia, China, Laos, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and West Africa for the first time in recent taxonomic revisions.