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
Stenopogon californiae
Stenopogon californiae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Stenopogoninae. First described by Francis Walker in 1849, this species belongs to a genus of relatively small, predatory flies. Robber flies in this subfamily are characterized by their slender bodies and distinctive predatory behavior. Like other asilids, they are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.
Stenopogon cazieri
Stenopogon cazieri is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Brookman in 1941. The genus Stenopogon belongs to the subfamily Stenopogoninae, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features and predatory habits. Like other asilids, this species is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species beyond its original description and taxonomic placement.
Stenopogon engelhardti
Stenopogon engelhardti is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) in the subfamily Stenopogoninae, described by Bromley in 1937. The genus Stenopogon belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies characterized by their aerial hunting behavior. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description.
Stenopogon lomae
Stenopogon lomae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1971. As a member of the subfamily Stenopogoninae, it belongs to a group of generally small to medium-sized predatory flies. The genus Stenopogon is primarily distributed in western North America. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species.
Stenopogon obispae
Stenopogon obispae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1971. As a member of the genus Stenopogon, it belongs to a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species is documented from limited observations, with eight records currently available. Beyond its taxonomic placement, specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Stenopogon tolandi
Stenopogon tolandi is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Stenopogoninae, described by Wilcox in 1971. As a member of the genus Stenopogon, it belongs to a group of relatively small robber flies. The genus Stenopogon is part of the diverse Asilidae family, whose members are predatory flies known for their agile flight and piercing-sucking mouthparts used to capture other insects. No specific observations of this species have been documented in the provided sources.
Stenopogoninae
robber flies
Stenopogoninae is a subfamily of robber flies (Asilidae) containing more than 70 genera and approximately 740 described species. Members are predatory dipterans found across diverse habitats worldwide. The subfamily includes notably small species such as those in the genus Eudioctria (6–8 mm), as well as larger forms. Many species exhibit characteristic perching behaviors on vegetation and are active predators of other insects.
Stenopyrgota
Stenopyrgota is a genus of flies in the family Pyrgotidae, established by Malloch in 1929. Pyrgotid flies are commonly known as pyrgotid flies or fruit flies, though they are distinct from the Tephritidae. Members of this genus are poorly known, with limited published information on their biology and ecology.
Stenopyrgota mexicana
Stenopyrgota mexicana is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, described by Malloch in 1929. The genus Stenopyrgota is part of the pyrgotid flies, a group known for their distinctive morphology and parasitic larval habits. This species is poorly documented in the literature, with minimal published information on its biology, distribution, or ecology.
Stenoscinis longipes
Stenoscinis longipes is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1863. The species belongs to the tribe Stenoscinini within the subfamily Oscinellinae. Very limited specific information is available about its biology and ecology.
Stenotabanus psammophilus
Stenotabanus psammophilus is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1876. The species epithet 'psammophilus' (sand-loving) suggests an association with sandy environments. It is known from the United States, with 48 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Like other horse flies, females are presumed to be blood-feeders, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Stenoxenini
Stenoxenini is a tribe of biting midges within the family Ceratopogonidae. These small flies are placed in the subfamily Ceratopogoninae. The tribe contains relatively few described species and is characterized by distinctive morphological features related to mouthpart structure. Members are poorly known compared to other ceratopogonid tribes, with limited biological and ecological data available.
Stichopogon abdominalis
Stichopogon abdominalis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It belongs to the genus Stichopogon, a group of relatively small predatory flies. The species was described by Back in 1909. Information regarding its specific biology, distribution, and ecology remains limited in the available literature.
Stichopogon catulus
Stichopogon catulus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It was described by Osten Sacken in 1887. Like other members of the genus Stichopogon, it is a predatory fly. The species has been documented through 106 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists.
Stichopogon colei
Stichopogon colei is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Bromley in 1934. As with other members of the genus Stichopogon, it is presumed to be a predatory insect. The species is part of a genus containing ten North American species, many of which are associated with sandy or gravelly habitats.
Stichopogon fragilis
Stichopogon fragilis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Back in 1909. As a member of the genus Stichopogon, it belongs to a group of small, ground-dwelling predatory flies often associated with sandy or barren habitats. The species is poorly documented in available sources, with minimal published information on its biology and distribution beyond taxonomic records.
Stichopogoninae
Stichopogoninae is a subfamily of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising approximately 14 genera and at least 230 described species. Members of this subfamily are predatory flies that capture prey in flight. The subfamily was established by Hardy in 1930.
Stictomyia longicornis
Stictomyia longicornis is a small picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae. Adults measure approximately 4 millimeters in length and are found almost exclusively on prickly-pear cacti in the southwestern United States. The species has been reared from rotting cactus pads, indicating larval development in decaying cactus tissue. Adults are morphologically unusual among flies, with short wings plastered to the back and a beetle-like or true bug-like appearance.
Stictomyia punctata
picture-winged fly
Stictomyia punctata is a species of picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae, first described by Coquillett in 1900. Like other members of its genus, it possesses the characteristic patterned wings that give picture-winged flies their common name. The species belongs to a genus with notable ecological associations, including Stictomyia longicornis which is found almost exclusively on prickly-pear cacti. Information specific to S. punctata's biology and distribution remains limited in available sources.
Stilobezzia sybleae
Stilobezzia sybleae is a species of predaceous biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, described by Wirth in 1953. The genus Stilobezzia comprises small, predatory midges whose larvae and adults feed on other small invertebrates. The species epithet honors Syble, likely referring to a person significant to the describer.
Stilobezzia viridis
Stilobezzia viridis is a species of predaceous midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, first described by Goetghebuer in 1935. The species belongs to a genus of biting midges known for their predatory habits. Very little specific biological information is available for this particular species.
Stilpon
Stilpon is a genus of small predatory flies in the family Hybotidae, subfamily Tachydromiinae. The Nearctic fauna comprises 13 recognized species, including nine described by Cumming (1992), classified into three informal species groups: S. divergens, S. graminum, and S. varipes. The genus exhibits wing polymorphy in some species, with both macropterous and micropterous forms documented in S. graminum, S. nubilus, and S. subnubilus.
Stiphrosoma
Stiphrosoma is a genus of small flies in the family Anthomyzidae, established by Czerny in 1928. The genus contains at least 14 recognized species, including the type species S. sabulosum and 13 species described from the New World. A revised generic diagnosis was established in 2005 to accommodate all known species. The genus exhibits holarctic distribution, with some species showing wing polymorphism.
Stiphrosoma pectinatum
Stiphrosoma pectinatum is a species of small fly in the family Anthomyzidae, described as new to science by Roháček & Barber in 2005. It is one of 14 New World species revised in the 2005 taxonomic treatment, distinguished by specific male and female genitalic structures. The species occurs in eastern North America from Canada through the eastern United States.
Stomoxys calcitrans
Stable Fly, Barn Fly, Biting House Fly, Dog Fly, Power Mower Fly, Beach Fly, Lawn-mower Fly
Stomoxys calcitrans, commonly known as the stable fly, is a worldwide pest of livestock and humans. Both sexes are obligate blood-feeders, inflicting painful bites that cause significant economic losses in cattle operations through reduced weight gain and milk production. The species is easily mistaken for the common house fly but distinguished by its piercing-sucking mouthparts. Native to Eurasia and Africa, it has spread globally through human activity.
Stonemyia isabellina
Stonemyia isabellina is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1828. It belongs to the subfamily Pangoniinae and tribe Pangoniini. The species has been documented in the United States, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Stonyx
Stonyx is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) established by Osten Sacken in 1886. The genus contains five described species distributed in the New World tropics and subtropics. These species are placed in the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini.
Stratiomydas
Stratiomydas is a genus of mydas flies (family Mydidae) established in 1989. The genus contains four described species distributed in Mexico, with records from Colima and Nayarit states. Species in this genus were previously classified under other genera before being separated based on morphological characteristics. Like other mydid flies, members are likely large-bodied and robust, though specific ecological data remain limited.
Stratiomyinae
Stratiomyinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) containing approximately 40 genera arranged in three tribes: Oxycerini, Prosopochrysini, and Stratiomyini. Members are distinguished by larvae that are aquatic or semi-aquatic, a trait that separates them from many other stratiomyid subfamilies. Adults often exhibit striking eye patterns with horizontal banding, which has been linked to polarization vision potentially used for locating water surfaces for mating and oviposition. The subfamily has a cosmopolitan distribution with significant diversity in both Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Stratiomyini
soldier flies
Stratiomyini is a tribe of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) characterized by adults with strikingly patterned eyes that often display horizontal banding. Members of this tribe are frequently wasp- or bee-mimics in appearance. The tribe includes genera such as Odontomyia, Psellidotus, and Hedriodiscus. Larvae of the subfamily Stratiomyinae, which includes Stratiomyini, are aquatic.
Stratiomyomorpha
Soldier Flies and Allies
Stratiomyomorpha is a parvorder of brachyceran flies comprising approximately 3,000 species, dominated by the family Stratiomyidae (soldier flies) with two smaller associated families. The group is characterized by broad morphological diversity ranging from slender to robust body forms. Larvae occupy varied aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. Adults are often conspicuous, frequently displaying metallic coloration.
Stratiomys laticeps
soldier fly
Stratiomys laticeps is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It is one of several North American species in the genus Stratiomys, which are recognized by their wasp-mimicking coloration. The specific epithet "laticeps" refers to the broad head characteristic of this species. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with wetland or aquatic habitats where its larvae develop.
Stratiomys normula
Stratiomys normula is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Loew in 1866. It is one of several North American species in the genus Stratiomys that exhibit wasp-mimicking coloration. The species has been recorded from Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is diurnal and associated with wetland habitats where its larvae develop.
Stratiomys obesa
Stratiomys obesa is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It is known from North America, specifically recorded in Canada and the United States. The species was described by Loew in 1866. Like other members of the genus Stratiomys, it belongs to a group of Diptera commonly referred to as soldier flies due to their often wasp-like or bee-like appearance and coloration.
Strauzia perfecta
Strauzia perfecta is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Loew in 1873. It belongs to the genus Strauzia, a group of tephritid flies whose larvae develop in plant stems. The species is accepted as valid in major taxonomic databases. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Strongygastrini
Strongygastrini is a tribe of tachinid flies within the subfamily Phasiinae. The tribe comprises six recognized genera: Arcona, Melastrongygaster, Opesia, Rondaniooestrus, Strongygaster, and Vanderwulpella. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most genera. The tribe has been recorded across multiple continents with approximately 500 iNaturalist observations.
Strongylophthalmyia
Strongylophthalmyia is a genus of slender, long-legged flies in the family Strongylophthalmyiidae. Most species occur in the Oriental and Australasian regions, with some extending into the Palearctic. Males exhibit highly modified antennal structures with variable processes on the first flagellomere. The genus contains approximately 40 described species, including several named in honor of public figures.
Strongylophthalmyiidae
Hardwood Flies
Strongylophthalmyiidae is a small family of slender, long-legged flies containing approximately 80 species across two genera: the monotypic Southeast Asian genus Nartshukia and the cosmopolitan Strongylophthalmyia. The family's phylogenetic relationships remain unresolved, having been variously classified with Psilidae or Tanypezidae. The majority of species occur in the Oriental and Australasian regions, with limited representation in the Nearctic and Palearctic.
Stylogastrinae
Stylogastrinae is a subfamily of flies within the family Conopidae (thick-headed flies). It contains only the genus Stylogaster, comprising unusual species characterized by a highly elongated, needle-like abdomen. These flies have been historically treated as a separate family by some authorities due to their distinctive morphology. The subfamily is relatively poorly known compared to other conopids.
Suillia laevis
Suillia laevis is a species of fly in the family Heleomyzidae, a family of small to medium-sized flies commonly known as heleomyzid flies or lesser dung flies. The species was described by Loew in 1862. Records indicate it occurs in the northeastern United States, including Vermont. As a member of Heleomyzidae, it likely shares the family's general ecology of association with decaying organic matter, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Suillia longipennis
Suillia longipennis is a species of fly in the family Heleomyzidae, originally described by Loew in 1862 as Helomyza longipennis. It is recorded from North America, with distribution records from the United States including Vermont. The genus Suillia comprises small to medium-sized flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter.
Suillia sororcula
Suillia sororcula is a species of small fly in the family Heleomyzidae, described by Czerny in 1926. Members of this family are commonly known as 'sun flies' or 'heleomyzid flies.' The genus Suillia contains species frequently associated with fungi, particularly boletes and related mushrooms. This species appears to be rarely recorded, with limited published information on its biology.
Suragina
Water Snipe Flies
Suragina is a genus of flies in the family Athericidae, commonly known as Water Snipe Flies. The genus is widely distributed across the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Palaearctic regions, with approximately 50 described species. Afrotropical species were recently revised, with eight new species described and two synonymies established. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features that separate it from related athericid genera.
Swammerdamella
Swammerdamella is a genus of minute black scavenger flies in the family Scatopsidae (Diptera). The genus was established by Enderlein in 1912 and is distributed across the western Palaearctic, with records from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and recent first records from Mexico. The genus includes at least one newly described species, S. grogani, from southeastern Mexico.
Swammerdamella bispinosa
Swammerdamella bispinosa is a species of minute black scavenger fly in the family Scatopsidae, described by Cook in 1956. Members of this family are small, dark-colored flies typically found in moist, decaying organic matter. The genus Swammerdamella is part of a group of scatopsid flies characterized by reduced wing venation and compact body form. Very little specific biological information is available for this particular species.
Swammerdamella marginata
Swammerdamella marginata is a species of minute black scavenger fly (Diptera: Scatopsidae) described by Cook in 1956. Members of this family are small, dark-colored flies commonly found in moist, decaying organic matter. The genus Swammerdamella comprises several species of similar morphology that require careful examination for identification.
Swammerdamella pygmaea
Swammerdamella pygmaea is a species of minute black scavenger fly in the family Scatopsidae, first described by Loew in 1864. Members of this family are typically small, dark-colored flies associated with decaying organic matter. The specific epithet "pygmaea" refers to its diminutive size. As with many Scatopsidae, detailed natural history information for this species remains limited in published literature.
Swammerdamella sagittata
Swammerdamella sagittata is a species of minute black scavenger fly in the family Scatopsidae, described by Cook in 1956. Members of this family are small, dark-colored flies typically associated with decaying organic matter. The specific epithet "sagittata" (arrow-shaped) likely refers to a morphological feature of the species. Scatopsid flies are generally poorly studied and inconspicuous, though they play roles in nutrient cycling in various ecosystems.
Sylvicola
wood gnats, window gnats, window midges, window flies
Sylvicola is a genus of wood gnats in the family Anisopodidae containing over 80 described species. The genus is widely distributed across the western Palaearctic, with some species introduced to North America and oceanic islands. Adults are active year-round in temperate regions and are frequently observed indoors near windows, earning them the common name 'window gnats.' The most thoroughly documented species, S. cinctus, serves as a representative for understanding genus-level traits.
Sylvicola fenestralis
Window Gnat
Sylvicola fenestralis, commonly known as the window gnat, is a medium-sized dipteran in the family Anisopodidae. Adults measure 6–10 mm in length. The species is distributed across the Palearctic region, with records from Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. It is one of approximately 40 species in the genus Sylvicola.