Milichiidae
Guides
Aldrichiomyza
freeloader flies
Aldrichiomyza is a genus of freeloader flies in the family Milichiidae, established by Hendel in 1914. These flies are kleptoparasites, commonly found near predatory insects where they feed on captured prey. The genus contains six described species distributed across the Palearctic and Oriental regions. Aldrichiomyza species are characterized by their small size and association with other predatory arthropods.
Desmometopa
freeloader flies
Desmometopa is a genus of freeloader flies in the family Milichiidae containing more than 50 described species. These tiny flies are notable kleptoparasites, frequently observed feeding on prey captured by spiders, praying mantises, and assassin bugs. They appear within seconds of a predator securing prey, taking advantage of the kill without contributing to its capture. Predators generally ignore them due to their minute size.
Desmometopa varipalpis
freeloader fly
Desmometopa varipalpis is a species of freeloader fly in the family Milichiidae, described by Malloch in 1927. It is found in Europe and the Galápagos Islands. Like other members of its genus, it has been observed engaging in kleptoparasitism, feeding on prey captured by spiders and praying mantids.
Eusiphona
freeloader flies
Eusiphona is a genus of freeloader flies in the family Milichiidae, established by Coquillett in 1897. The genus contains four described species: E. cooperi, E. flava, E. mira, and E. vittata. Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies, are known for their kleptoparasitic behavior, often associated with predatory insects and their prey. Species in this genus are small dipterans with limited published biological data.
Eusiphona mira
freeloader fly
Eusiphona mira is a species of freeloader fly in the family Milichiidae, a group known for their kleptoparasitic behavior at insect carcasses and spider kills. The species was described by Coquillett in 1897. Like other milichiids, adults are small, typically dark-colored flies that exploit feeding opportunities created by other insects rather than capturing prey themselves.
Leptometopa latipes
freeloader fly
Leptometopa latipes is a species of freeloader fly in the family Milichiidae. The species was described by Meigen in 1830. Members of the family Milichiidae are commonly known as freeloader flies due to their kleptoparasitic behavior, often feeding on the prey of other insects rather than capturing their own food. The species has been recorded from several locations in Europe including Belgium and the Azores (Flores, Pico, Terceira).
Madizinae
freeloader flies
Madizinae is a subfamily of freeloader flies within the family Milichiidae, comprising approximately 8 genera and over 160 described species. Members of this subfamily are small to minute Diptera known for their kleptoparasitic behavior, frequently associating with predatory arthropods to feed on their prey remains. The subfamily includes the genera *Madiza*, *Phyllomyza*, *Desmometopa*, *Leptometopa*, *Neophyllomyza*, *Paramyia*, *Aldrichiomyza*, and *Stomosis*.
Milichiella
freeloader flies
Milichiella is a genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The genus is cosmopolitan in distribution with numerous species described from tropical and subtropical regions. Species within this genus are kleptoparasites, attracted to predatory events where they feed on fluids from prey captured by other arthropods such as spiders and assassin bugs. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many species described by Brake in 2009.
Milichiella arcuata
freeloader fly
Milichiella arcuata is a species of freeloader fly in the family Milichiidae, known for kleptoparasitic behavior. The species was first described by Loew in 1876 under the basionym Lobioptera arcuata. Like other members of its family, it is attracted to predatory insects and spiders feeding on prey, where it steals food resources. The species is part of a diverse genus within a family specialized in exploiting the kills of other arthropods.
Milichiella bisignata
freeloader fly
Milichiella bisignata is a small dipteran in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The species was described by Melander in 1913 from North and Central America. Taxonomic status remains unsettled, with some sources treating it as a junior synonym of Milichiella lucidula while others maintain it as a valid species. Members of this genus are kleptoparasites, attracted to predatory insects and spiders actively consuming prey.
Milichiella lacteipennis
freeloader fly
Milichiella lacteipennis is a small, dark-colored fly in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution, having been recorded from the Galápagos Islands, Japan, Madeira, Hawaii, and Argentina. It is a kleptoparasite that feeds on fluids from prey captured by predatory insects, particularly heteropteran bugs. The species was described by Loew in 1866.
Neophyllomyza
A genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The Nearctic fauna comprises two species: N. quadricornis and N. gaulti. Both species are saproxylic, with larvae developing in decaying wood of hardwood trees. Adults are associated with decaying logs and show distinct temporal and ecological partitioning despite sympatric distributions.
Paramyia
freeloader flies
Paramyia is a genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The genus was established by Williston in 1897 and contains approximately 18 described species. Members of this genus share the family trait of kleptoparasitic behavior, often associating with predatory insects to feed on their kills.
Pholeomyia
freeloader flies
Pholeomyia is a genus of freeloader flies in the family Milichiidae, comprising more than 30 described species. The genus is notable for its myrmecophilous associations, particularly with leaf-cutting ants. At least one species, P. comans, has been documented as an inquiline in nests of Atta texana, where larvae develop in underground detritus cavities.
Phyllomyza
freeloader flies
Phyllomyza is a genus of small flies in the family Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The genus contains at least 30 described species, first established by Fallén in 1810. These flies are placed in the subfamily Phyllomyzinae. Species in this genus are found in parts of northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.