Genome-sequenced
Guides
Pollenia griseotomentosa
cluster fly
Pollenia griseotomentosa is a Palaearctic cluster fly and the smallest British species in the genus Pollenia, measuring 4.5–8.0 mm in body length. It is distinguished from congeners by specific morphological characters including lack of pale wing tuft, yellow to pale brown posterior thoracic spiracle lappets, dark palpi and basicosta, and characteristic bristle patterns. Like other cluster flies, adults overwinter in sheltered locations including buildings, where they aggregate in large numbers and may become nuisance pests. The species has been introduced to North America, with records from Canada and the northeastern United States.
Polydrusus cervinus
Deer Broad-nosed Weevil
Polydrusus cervinus is a European weevil in the broad-nosed weevil subfamily Entiminae. The species has been the subject of genome sequencing as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project, yielding a chromosomally complete 713.4 Mb assembly. It is commonly known as the Deer Broad-nosed Weevil and has been recorded across multiple European countries.
Polytribax
Polytribax is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Cryptinae containing approximately 15 described species. Members are parasitoids of Lepidoptera pupae, with females adapted for ground-level foraging in leaf litter and soil. The genus exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, particularly pronounced in Polytribax perspicillator. Species are distributed across the Western Palaearctic with records extending to the Oriental and Nearctic realms.
Pyrrhia
Pyrrhia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Heliothinae, containing approximately eight described species distributed primarily across the Palearctic region. The genus includes the Bordered Sallow moth (Pyrrhia umbra), for which a complete genome sequence has been generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project. Species within this genus are medium-sized noctuid moths with characteristic wing patterns.
Resseliella
Resseliella is a genus of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae containing at least 50 described species. The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, notably R. maxima (soybean gall midge) which threatens soybean production in the north-central United States, as well as R. citrifrugis, a major citrus pest in China, and R. theobaldi (raspberry cane midge), an important pest of cultivated red raspberry in Europe. Some species exhibit mutualistic relationships with plants, such as R. kadsurae which pollinates Kadsura longipedunculata in China.
Rhagio lineola
Small Fleck-winged Snipefly
Rhagio lineola is a small snipefly in the family Rhagionidae, native to the Palearctic region and introduced to eastern North America. Adults are 5.5–8 mm in length with distinctive yellow and black coloration. The species has a two-year life cycle with adults active from late May through September. Both adults and larvae are predatory, contributing to biological control of small insects in woodland ecosystems.
Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae
waterlily aphid, water lily aphid
Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae, the waterlily aphid, is a cosmopolitan, host-alternating aphid species with a unique ability to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. It is a significant agricultural pest that damages crops through direct herbivory and as a vector for plant viruses, particularly affecting Prunus spp. fruits and various aquatic plants. The species exhibits complex life history traits including rapid population growth (intrinsic rate of increase 0.315 day⁻¹, doubling time 2.2 days) and strong host preferences among aquatic vegetation.
Schizotus
fire-colored beetles
Schizotus is a genus of fire-colored beetles in the family Pyrochroidae, established by Newman in 1838. The genus contains at least three described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. Adults are small beetles, 7–9 mm in length, with distinctive pectinate (comb-like) antennae. Members are associated with dead and decaying wood, where larvae develop beneath loose bark.
Silvanus unidentatus
Silvanus unidentatus is a small bark-dwelling beetle in the family Silvanidae, measuring 2.3–2.8 mm. Native to the Palaearctic region across 33 countries plus Korea, it has been introduced to North America and Chile. The species inhabits the space beneath tightly attached bark of dead broadleaved trees, where both larvae and adults develop. It has been the subject of genome sequencing research, yielding a chromosome-level assembly of 187.15 Mb.
Sisyra
spongillafly, spongilla-fly
Sisyra is a genus of spongillaflies (Neuroptera: Sisyridae), a small family of aquatic insects. The genus comprises at least eight described species distributed across multiple continents, including Brazil, Panama, Australia, and Asia. Sisyra species have been documented in freshwater habitats, with larvae associated with freshwater sponges. The family holds a basal phylogenetic position within Neuroptera, and at least one species (S. nigra) exhibits an unusual achiasmatic sex chromosome segregation mechanism not observed in other neuropterans.
Sisyra nigra
Black Spongillafly, Black Spongefly
Sisyra nigra is a small lacewing in the family Sisyridae, commonly known as the Black Spongillafly. It is the most widely distributed of the three British Sisyridae species and occurs across the Holarctic region. The species has a unique life cycle with fully aquatic larvae that are specialized predators of freshwater sponges, while adults are terrestrial and dispersive. S. nigra is notable for its distinctive achiasmatic sex chromosome segregation mechanism during male meiosis, which differs from other Neuroptera and supports the basal phylogenetic position of Sisyridae within the order.
Suillia variegata
Suillia variegata is a Palearctic species of heleomyzid fly distributed throughout Britain and Ireland, with highest occurrence in England and Wales. The species exhibits a mixed feeding strategy, primarily mycophagous but also associated with decaying flowers, roots, and bird's nests. Adults display an earthy brown thorax with sparse hairs and a pale striped abdomen, with distinctive wing spines useful for identification. The species peaks in density during April/May and July/August.
Sussaba
Sussaba is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Diplazontinae. Species are parasitoids of hoverfly (Syrphidae) larvae, with adults typically measuring around 4 mm in forewing length. The genus has a wide geographic distribution spanning Europe, North America, and parts of Asia including India. Sussaba pulchella is the best-studied species, with a published chromosome-level genome assembly.
Sussaba pulchella
Sussaba pulchella is a small ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Diplazontinae, with forewings approximately 4 mm in length. It is the first species in its genus to have a high-quality genome sequenced, completed as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project. The species is a parasitoid of hoverfly larvae (Diptera: Syrphidae) and has a broad geographic distribution across the Palaearctic, Nearctic, and India.
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.
Tetanops myopaeformis
sugar beet root maggot, sugarbeet root maggot
Tetanops myopaeformis is a picture-winged fly (family Ulidiidae) and the most economically significant pest of sugar beet in North America. Larvae feed on sugar beet roots, causing yield losses up to 100% in affected fields. The species overwinters as freeze-tolerant third-instar larvae in soil, with some individuals exhibiting prolonged diapause lasting multiple years. It is native to North America, though its original host plant remains unidentified; sugar beet, introduced to the continent, became its primary agricultural host.
Thecophora
A genus of medium-sized conopid flies (4–7 mm) in the family Conopidae, characterized by black coloration with variable abdominal dusting and distinctive leg markings. Adults are active flower visitors from May to October. Larvae are internal parasitoids of halictid bees, with females depositing single eggs into flying hosts. The genus includes three species in Britain, with *Thecophora atra* being the most widely distributed and the subject of a complete genome sequencing effort.
Tholera
Feathered Gothic
Tholera is a genus of noctuid moths comprising approximately five species distributed across the Palearctic region. The most extensively studied species, Tholera decimalis (Feathered Gothic), has served as a model for genomic and ecological research. Males of this genus are characterized by prominently feathered antennae, an adaptation for pheromone detection. Populations of Tholera decimalis experienced significant decline and range contraction during the late 20th century, followed by partial recovery and expansion in recent decades.
Thymelicus lineola
Essex Skipper, European Skipper
Thymelicus lineola is a small skipper butterfly native to Europe and introduced to North America prior to 1910. In Europe it is known as the Essex Skipper; in North America it is called the European Skipper. The species has spread extensively across eastern Canada and the northern United States, with populations established as far west as British Columbia. It is univoltine with five larval instars. Adults are active in summer and exhibit thermoregulatory basking behavior. Males use perching and patrolling strategies to locate mates and release pheromones from androconial scent scales during courtship.
Toxonevra
flutter flies
Toxonevra is a genus of small flies in the family Pallopteridae, commonly known as flutter flies. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across Europe and North America. Members are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and male courtship behavior involving wing vibration. One species, T. muliebris, has been sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Trigoniulus corallinus
Rusty Millipede, Common Asian Millipede
Trigoniulus corallinus is a large millipede native to the Indo-Malayan region that has become established as an introduced species across multiple continents. Adults reach 50–75 mm in length and are characterized by a uniform reddish-brown coloration. The species inhabits moist terrestrial environments, particularly areas rich in decaying organic matter. It was the first millipede to have its genome sequenced (2015), and subsequent research has identified an XX/X0 sex chromosome system with males possessing modified seventh-leg pairs (gonopods) used for mating.
Urophora cardui
Canada thistle gall fly, Thistle Stem Gall Fly
Urophora cardui is a tephritid fruit fly native to Central Europe, from the United Kingdom east to near the Crimea and from Sweden south to the Mediterranean. It has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), an invasive weed. The species forms stem galls on its host plant and has been extensively studied for its population genetics, dispersal patterns, and interactions with parasitoids. Despite establishment in eastern Canada, its impact on host weed populations has remained limited.
Zootermopsis nevadensis
Nevada Dampwood Termite, Nevada Termite
Zootermopsis nevadensis is a eusocial dampwood termite in the family Archotermopsidae, native to the western United States. It is a hemimetabolous species with complex caste differentiation including workers, soldiers, alates, and neotenic reproductives. The species has been extensively studied for its genomic characteristics, including exceptionally high DNA methylation levels and reduced opsin genes associated with its subterranean lifestyle. Two subspecies are recognized: Z. n. nevadensis and Z. n. nuttingi, with the latter having its genome sequenced.