Marsh-fly
Guides
Anticheta melanosoma
Anticheta melanosoma is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Melander in 1920. The genus Anticheta belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini, a group known for larvae that are predators or parasitoids of freshwater snails. The specific epithet "melanosoma" refers to the dark body coloration characteristic of this species. Records indicate this species occurs in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Colobaea americana
marsh fly
Colobaea americana is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1954. Marsh flies in this family are typically associated with wetland habitats. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Very little specific information has been published regarding the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Dictya atlantica
marsh fly
Dictya atlantica is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1954. The species epithet 'atlantica' suggests a connection to the Atlantic region, though specific geographic details remain limited. As a member of Sciomyzidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies, many of which have aquatic or semi-aquatic larval stages.
Dictya disjuncta
Dictya disjuncta is a poorly known marsh fly (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) described by Orth in 1991. The species remained obscure until its rediscovery, which prompted the first comprehensive description of all life stages including egg, larval instars, puparium, and adult. Like other sciomyzids, it is associated with marshy or wetland habitats. The detailed life cycle description represents a significant contribution to knowledge of this rarely encountered species.
Dictya expansa
Dictya expansa is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Steyskal in 1938. The genus Dictya belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. Marsh flies in this family are typically associated with wetland habitats. The species is known from limited observations, with only two records documented in iNaturalist.
Dictya pictipes
Dictya pictipes is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, a group commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory habits of their larvae. The species was first described by Loew in 1859 under the basionym Tetanocera pictipes. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, adults are typically found in moist habitats near water. The genus Dictya is classified within the tribe Tetanocerini of the subfamily Sciomyzinae.
Dictya texensis
Dictya texensis is a species of marsh fly (family Sciomyzidae) described by Curran in 1932. Members of the genus Dictya are recognized by their distinctive wing venation patterns. The family Sciomyzidae comprises predatory or parasitic flies whose larvae typically develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic snails. This species is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Helophilus
Marsh Flies, Tiger Hoverflies
Helophilus is a genus of moderate to large hoverflies in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as marsh flies or tiger hoverflies. Adults are notable bee or wasp mimics with distinctive lengthwise yellow stripes on the thorax and transverse bands on the abdomen. Larvae are aquatic "rat-tailed maggots" that filter-feed on microorganisms in organic-rich water. The genus comprises two subgenera: Helophilus and Pilinasica (the latter containing endemic New Zealand species).
Helophilus fasciatus
Narrow-headed Marsh Fly
Helophilus fasciatus, commonly known as the narrow-headed marsh fly, is a syrphid fly species widespread across the United States and Canada. Adults are flower visitors that feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae develop in wet, decaying organic matter, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud. This species is one of the more frequently observed hoverflies in North America, with over 18,000 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Helophilus intentus
Yellow-legged Marsh Fly
Helophilus intentus is a species of syrphid fly (flower fly) in the family Syrphidae. It belongs to the genus Helophilus, whose members are commonly known as marsh flies due to their association with aquatic habitats. The larvae develop in decaying plant matter submerged in water. Adults are sun-loving and frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar and pollen.
Helophilus lapponicus
Yellow-margined Marsh Fly
Helophilus lapponicus is a Holarctic species of hoverfly found across northern North America, northern Europe, Greenland, and Siberia. Adults are medium-sized syrphid flies, 12.5–13.5 mm in length, commonly observed visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. The species is distinguished by yellow abdominal markings and specific wing venation. Larval biology remains undocumented, though congeneric species develop in wet decaying organic matter.
Helophilus neoaffinis
Northwestern Marsh Fly
A syrphid fly species in the genus Helophilus, recognized by iNaturalist as the Northwestern Marsh Fly. As with other members of its genus, it likely exhibits yellowjacket mimicry with vertical yellow stripes on the thorax. The larvae develop in decaying plant matter submerged in water, characteristic of the 'rat-tailed maggot' form found in aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Helophilus obscurus
obscure marsh fly
Helophilus obscurus is a syrphid fly commonly found across Canada, the northern United States, and the Rocky Mountains. Adults are flower visitors that obtain nectar and pollen. The species is part of the marsh fly genus Helophilus, though the larval biology of this specific species remains undocumented. It is one of several North American Helophilus species that exhibit yellowjacket mimicry.
Hoplodictya spinicornis
marsh fly
Hoplodictya spinicornis is a small marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, measuring 3–4 mm in length. The species is notable for its parasitic larval stage, which targets land snails. It has a broad distribution across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with northern extensions into Canada and the northeastern United States. The complete life cycle averages approximately 45 days.
Limnia boscii
marsh fly
Limnia boscii is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus Limnia belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. Marsh flies in this family are generally associated with wetland and marsh habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in available sources.
Limnia conica
Limnia conica is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1978. Marsh flies in this family are generally associated with wetland and aquatic habitats. The species is recorded from the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Limnia loewi
Limnia loewi is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Steyskal in 1965. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized flies associated with wetland and aquatic habitats. The species epithet honors the German dipterist Hermann Loew. As with other Sciomyzidae, larvae are likely predaceous on freshwater snails, though specific details for this species remain undocumented.
Limnia shannoni
Limnia shannoni is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Cresson in 1920. It belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group within the genus Limnia. Limited information is available regarding its biology and ecology.
Limnia sparsa
marsh fly
Limnia sparsa is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Loew in 1862. It belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. As a member of Sciomyzidae, it is part of a family commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Oidematops
Oidematops is a monotypic genus of flies in the family Sciomyzidae, containing only the species Oidematops ferrugineus. The genus was established by Cresson in 1920. Members of Sciomyzidae are commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies due to the predatory or parasitic habits of their larvae.
Oidematops ferrugineus
Oidematops ferrugineus is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Cresson in 1920. The genus Oidematops is a small group within the Sciomyzidae, a family commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory or parasitic habits of their larvae on mollusks. This species has been recorded from Vermont and other locations in the United States. Sciomyzidae larvae are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats where their gastropod hosts occur.
Paradryomyza setosa
Paradryomyza setosa is a species of true fly in the family Dryomyzidae, a group commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies. The species was described by Bigot in 1886. Like other members of Dryomyzidae, it belongs to a family whose larvae are known to develop in terrestrial snails and slugs, making them predators of mollusks. The genus Paradryomyza contains relatively few described species, and P. setosa is among the better-documented members of this genus.
Pherbecta limenitis
A species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Steyskal in 1956. Members of this family are commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory habits of their larvae. The genus name Pherbecta and species epithet limenitis suggest taxonomic relationships, though the specific etymology of the species name (shared with the butterfly genus Limenitis) may reflect morphological or ecological parallels rather than direct biological connection.
Pherbellia albovaria
Pherbellia albovaria is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Coquillett in 1901. The genus Pherbellia comprises predatory or parasitoid flies associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic mollusks. Like other sciomyzids, this species likely has larvae that develop in association with freshwater snails or slugs, though specific biological details for P. albovaria remain poorly documented. The species name 'albovaria' refers to white (albo-) markings on the legs or body (varia, varied).
Pherbellia tenuipes
marsh fly
Pherbellia tenuipes is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Loew in 1872. Marsh flies in this family are commonly associated with wetland habitats and are known for their slender body forms. The specific epithet 'tenuipes' refers to the slender legs characteristic of this species. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, the larvae likely develop in association with aquatic or semi-aquatic mollusks, though direct observations of P. tenuipes biology remain limited in published literature.
Poecilographa decora
Poecilographa decora is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Loew in 1864. The genus Poecilographa is part of the tribe Tetanocerini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. This species belongs to a family commonly known as snail-killing flies, though specific ecological details for P. decora remain poorly documented.
Pteromicra pleuralis
Pteromicra pleuralis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, originally described as Dichrochira pleuralis by Cresson in 1920. The genus Pteromicra is part of the tribe Sciomyzini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. Members of this genus are generally small to medium-sized flies associated with wetland habitats. The species is poorly documented in the literature, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology.
Renocera
Renocera is a genus of marsh flies (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) comprising approximately eight described species. Larvae of multiple species are confirmed predators of fingernail clams (family Sphaeriidae), earning them the common designation of 'clam-killing flies.' The genus has been documented in both Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Detailed life histories have been established for several species, including R. pallida.
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.
Sciomyza aristalis
Sciomyza aristalis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, originally described as Dryomyza aristalis by Coquillett in 1901. The genus Sciomyza comprises small to medium-sized flies associated with wetland and marsh habitats. Members of Sciomyzidae are known for their larvae developing in freshwater or moist terrestrial habitats, often associated with molluscan hosts. This species has been documented from a limited number of observations.
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 fuscipennis
marsh fly
Sepedon fuscipennis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae. The larvae are aquatic predators of pulmonate snails, living just beneath the water surface suspended by water-resistant hairs surrounding their posterior spiracles. Adults are slender flies with a concave face and jutting antennae; males have distinctive bowed hind tibiae and swollen, toothed hind femora for grasping females during mating. The species exhibits overlapping generations during summer with unimodal population peaks, and has been studied for its potential in biological control of snail hosts of parasitic diseases.
Sepedon neili
Sepedon neili is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1951. Like other members of the genus Sepedon, it is a snail-killing fly whose larvae are aquatic predators of pulmonate snails. The species belongs to one of several species groups within Sepedon based on shared morphological characteristics. Adult flies are associated with wetland habitats where their snail prey occur.
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.
Tetanocera clara
marsh fly
Tetanocera clara is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Loew in 1862. It belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. The species is part of a diverse group of flies commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies, many of which have larvae that prey on freshwater mollusks. Specific ecological details for T. clara remain limited in published literature.
Tetanocera melanostigma
marsh fly
Tetanocera melanostigma is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Steyskal in 1959. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are primarily predatory on aquatic snails and slugs. The species is part of a family known for its ecological role in controlling mollusk populations in wetland habitats.
Tetanocera plebeja
marsh fly
Tetanocera plebeja is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Loew in 1862. Marsh flies in this family are generally associated with wet habitats and are known for their larval predation on aquatic snails. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, particularly Vermont.
Tetanocera plumosa
marsh fly
Tetanocera plumosa is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Loew in 1847. The species belongs to the tribe Tetanocerini and is one of multiple species within the genus Tetanocera. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, it is associated with marsh and wetland habitats. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Tetanocera valida
Tetanocera valida is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Loew in 1862. Marsh flies in this family are commonly associated with wetland habitats. The species has been recorded in the United States, including Vermont. As with other members of Sciomyzidae, its larvae are likely associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.
Tetanocera vicina
Tetanocera vicina is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Macquart in 1844. Members of this genus are commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies due to their specialized larval biology. The species is part of a group of Diptera whose larvae are predators or parasitoids of freshwater snails, playing a distinctive ecological role in aquatic ecosystems. As with many Sciomyzidae, detailed species-level biology remains incompletely documented.
Trypetoptera canadensis
Trypetoptera canadensis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae. The species was originally described by Macquart in 1844 as Tetanocera canadensis. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, this species is associated with wetland habitats. The genus Trypetoptera contains multiple species distributed across North America and other regions.