Patterned-wings
Guides
Anacampsis tristrigella
A small gelechiid moth with distinctive wing patterning described by Walsingham in 1882. The species is recognized by its greyish-fuscous forewings with greenish iridescence, steel-grey costal streak, and characteristic white markings including a transverse fascia and three to four apical tooth-like streaks. Larvae are known to feed on American hazelnut (Corylus americana).
Aristotelia salicifungiella
Aristotelia salicifungiella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1865. The species is characterized by distinctive red forewings with complex whitish and dark fuscous patterning. It occurs in scattered locations across North America including California, Illinois, Ohio, and Ontario. Like other members of its genus, it is a "twirler moth" with larvae that specialize on particular host plants.
Exoprosopa
Exoprosopa is a large cosmopolitan genus of bee-flies (Bombyliidae) comprising over 325 described species. Members are among the largest bee flies, reaching up to 22 mm body length and 64 mm wingspan. The genus exhibits striking wing patterns and abdominal banding, with many species showing sexual dimorphism. Species are found worldwide, with exceptional diversity in Southern Africa (over 135 species). As parasitoids, they target a broad range of host insects including locusts and wasp larvae.
Richardiidae
Richardiidae is a small family of acalyptrate flies in the superfamily Tephritoidea, comprising over 30 genera and approximately 175 species. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with most species occurring in tropical regions of the Americas. General biology remains poorly known, though larvae of some species feed on living plant tissue, pollen, or decaying plant material. Adults are frequently observed on vegetation and are characterized by conspicuously patterned wings and often metallic body coloration.
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.
Taygete sylvicolella
Taygete sylvicolella is a small moth in the family Autostichidae, described by August Busck in 1903. It is known from scattered records in eastern North America. The species is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with dark fuscous overlay on white forewings and contrasting markings.
Tephritidae
fruit flies, peacock flies
Tephritidae is a family of true fruit flies comprising nearly 5,000 described species across approximately 500 genera. Members are distinguished from Drosophilidae (also called fruit flies) by their larger size, patterned wings, and phytophagous larval biology. The family exhibits extraordinary morphological diversity, including elaborate wing markings that inspired the common name "peacock flies." Many species are economically significant agricultural pests, while others serve as biological control agents for invasive weeds. Taxonomy remains dynamic due to ongoing genetic and morphological revisions.