Lonchaeidae
Guides
Earomyia
Earomyia is a genus of small flies in the family Lonchaeidae (Diptera). Species in this genus have been documented developing within the stems of toxic plants in the Melanthiaceae family, including Veratrum album and Toxicoscordion venenosum. At least one species, E. crystallophila, occupies decaying stem tissue solitarily. The genus is distributed across Europe and North America, with records from Scandinavia, Serbia, and the western United States.
Lamprolonchaea
metallic-green tomato flies, lance flies
Lamprolonchaea is a genus of lance flies (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) characterized by bright metallic golden-green coloration. The genus includes at least 24 species in Australia, with Lamprolonchaea brouniana being the most economically significant as a pest of tomato fruit. Australian species are taxonomically poorly understood, with limited descriptions of immature stages and no prior molecular characterization. The genus appears to be restricted to Australia, with most records from temperate southern regions.
Lonchaea
lance flies
Lonchaea is a genus of small flies in the family Lonchaeidae, commonly called lance flies. The genus contains at least 238 described species with a worldwide distribution. Species within Lonchaea exhibit diverse ecological associations with coniferous trees and bark beetles, ranging from predatory to commensal relationships. Some species have been investigated for potential use as biological control agents of forest pests.
Silba
lance flies
Silba is a genus of lance flies in the family Lonchaeidae, containing more than 120 described species. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on every continent except South America and Antarctica. Species within Silba exhibit diverse larval development strategies, with some species associated with figs (including the economically significant pest Silba adipata), while others develop in flower buds, fungal fruiting bodies, or other substrates. The genus is taxonomically active, with numerous new species described in recent decades, particularly from the Afrotropical and Asian regions.
Silba fumosa
Silba fumosa is a small lance fly in the family Lonchaeidae, reaching approximately 4 millimeters in body length. The species exhibits metallic dark blue coloration with sexual dimorphism in mesonotum sheen: males have a dull mesonotum while females display a shiny midline. It is native to the Palearctic region and has been documented in mature woodland habitats. The species is distinct from the congeneric black fig fly (Silba adipata), a major agricultural pest.