Phytotelmata
Guides
Acrotrichinae
Acrotrichinae is a subfamily of featherwing beetles (Ptiliidae) first established by Reitter in 1909. Members of this subfamily include some of the smallest beetles known, with body lengths often under 1 mm. The subfamily contains the genus Phytotelmatrichis, which was discovered exclusively in phytotelmata of Zingiberales plants in southern Peru, suggesting specialized habitat associations within the group.
Bromeloecia
Bromeloecia is a genus of small flies in the family Sphaeroceridae (lesser dung flies), first described by Spuler in 1923. The genus contains four described species: B. bromeliarum, B. seltzeri, B. tarsiglossa, and B. winnemana. The genus name and the species epithet bromeliarum suggest an association with bromeliad plants, though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented.
Chironominae
non-biting midges
Chironominae is a subfamily of non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) containing over 2,000 described species across three tribes: Chironomini, Pseudochironomini, and Tanytarsini. Members are globally distributed and primarily aquatic in their immature stages. The subfamily includes economically and ecologically significant genera such as Chironomus, Polypedilum, and Tanytarsus. Adults are characterized by reduced mouthparts and do not feed; larvae are diverse in habitat specialization, ranging from freshwater lakes and rivers to marine environments and phytotelmata.
Copestylum comstocki
Comstock's Bromeliad Fly
Copestylum comstocki, commonly known as Comstock's bromeliad fly, is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae. The species is native to south-central North America. As a member of the genus Copestylum, it is associated with bromeliad plants, which serve as breeding sites. The larvae develop in the water-holding leaf axils of bromeliads, a habitat specialization characteristic of this genus. Adult flies are likely flower visitors like other syrphid species, though specific floral associations remain poorly documented.
Copestylum isabellina
Isabelle's bromeliad fly
Copestylum isabellina, commonly known as Isabelle's bromeliad fly, is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. The species has been documented in southwestern North America. As a member of the genus Copestylum, it belongs to a group commonly referred to as bromeliad flies, which are typically associated with bromeliad plants. The species is known from 784 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is moderately well-documented by citizen scientists.
Copestylum opalescens
Opalescent Bromeliad Fly
Copestylum opalescens is a syrphid fly species in the tribe Volucellini, commonly known as the Opalescent Bromeliad Fly. It is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Copestylum, a group of New World flower flies predominantly associated with bromeliad microhabitats. The species was originally described by Townsend in 1901 under the genus Volucella. Like other Copestylum species, adults are likely flower visitors, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Copestylum sexmaculatum
Six-spotted Bromeliad Fly
Copestylum sexmaculatum, commonly known as the six-spotted bromeliad fly, is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae. The common name references its association with bromeliad plants, which serve as hosts for its larval development. As a member of the genus Copestylum, it belongs to a group of syrphid flies whose larvae are typically found in phytotelmata—water-holding structures of plants such as bromeliads. Adults are flower visitors and contribute to pollination. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range with numerous observations recorded.
Hydrodytinae
Hydrodytinae is a subfamily of predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, established by K. B. Miller in 2001. It contains at least two genera and four described species. The genus Hydrodytes occurs in North America and the Neotropics, while Microhydrodytes is restricted to the Neotropics. This subfamily represents a relatively recently recognized lineage within the diverse diving beetle fauna.
Opomyzoidea
Opomyzoidea is a superfamily of Diptera comprising approximately 11 families with diverse ecological specializations. Member families exhibit varied lifestyles including leaf mining (Agromyzidae), stem feeding in grasses (Anthomyzidae, Opomyzidae), gall formation (Fergusonina), fungal feeding (some Anthomyzidae, Asteiidae), sap feeding on trees (some Aulacigastridae, Odiniidae, Periscelididae), association with wood-boring insect galleries (Odiniidae), and inhabitation of water-filled plant cavities called phytotelmata (Aulacigastridae, Neurochaetidae, Periscelididae). The phylogeny of this group remains controversial, with molecular studies indicating it may not be monophyletic.
Orthopodomyia
tree hole mosquito, ornate mosquito
A genus of wild mosquitoes comprising 36 species distributed primarily in tropical and temperate regions. Adults are predominantly nocturnal and essentially wild in habit. Most species are not recognized as epidemiologically important vectors due to limited bionomic knowledge. The genus is phylogenetically close to tribe Mansoniini based on molecular evidence.
Orthopodomyia signifera
Ornate Treehole Mosquito
Orthopodomyia signifera is a container-breeding mosquito species in the family Culicidae. It is commonly known as the ornate treehole mosquito. The species develops in tree holes and has been documented across North America, the Caribbean, and Middle America.
Periscelididae
Dwarf Flies
Periscelididae is a family of small acalyptrate flies commonly known as Dwarf Flies. Adults are typically 3–4 mm in length with a distinctly broad head, broad bulging cheeks, and characteristic bristle patterns on the head and thorax. The family comprises approximately 12 genera in two subfamilies (Periscelidinae and Stenomicrinae), with species distributed across the Palaearctic, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. At least some species develop in phytotelmata—water-holding plant structures such as those in Araceae.
Polypedilum
Polypedilum is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Chironomidae, subfamily Chironominae. It is probably the most species-rich genus among all chironomid midges. Larvae are frequently abundant in lentic freshwater habitats, with documented densities reaching 1200 larvae per square meter in eutrophic ponds. The genus comprises multiple subgenera including Cerobregma, Pentapedilum, Polypedilum, Probolum, Tripodura, and Uresipedilum.
Psychodinae
Moth Flies, Drain Flies, Filter Flies, Sewer Flies
Psychodinae is the nominate subfamily of moth flies (Psychodidae), commonly known as drain flies or filter flies. Adults are small, hairy flies rarely exceeding 5–6 mm in length, with distinctive kidney-shaped eyes connected by an eye-bridge. The subfamily has a cosmopolitan distribution, including subantarctic islands. Larvae are aquatic or semi-terrestrial, developing in diverse moist habitats ranging from natural springs and phytotelmata to artificial environments like drains and sewage systems.
Stenomicra
Stenomicra is a genus of small flies in the family Periscelididae, first described by Coquillett in 1900. The genus contains more than 20 described species, with at least one species documented from phytotelmata of Araceae plants in the Neotropical Region. Larval stages have been described for at least one species, indicating development within plant-held water bodies.
Tettigoniidae
katydids, bush crickets, long-horned grasshoppers
Tettigoniidae is a large family of orthopteran insects containing over 8,000 described species, commonly known as katydids in North America and bush crickets in the United Kingdom. The family is the only extant member of the superfamily Tettigonioidea within the suborder Ensifera. Members are characterized by extremely long, thread-like antennae that often exceed body length, distinguishing them from true grasshoppers. The family exhibits remarkable diversity in size, ranging from 5 mm to 130 mm, and occupies varied habitats from tropical rainforests to temperate grasslands across all continents except Antarctica.
Wyeomyia
Wyeomyia is a genus of neotropical mosquitoes comprising approximately 140 species, first described by Frederick Vincent Theobald in 1901. The genus is taxonomically challenging due to high species diversity and incomplete delineation. Adults are diurnal and primarily forest-dwelling, with larvae developing in phytotelmata—water held by plants such as bromeliads, aroids, and pitcher plants. Most species feed on blood and will bite humans, though they are not confirmed vectors of human disease.
Wyeomyia smithii
Pitcher-plant Mosquito, Pitcher Plant Mosquito
Wyeomyia smithii is a specialized mosquito that completes its entire pre-adult development within the water-filled pitchers of the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea. It is a top predator in this unique microecosystem, where its presence directly influences bacterial species diversity. The species exhibits remarkable geographic variation in blood-feeding behavior: northern populations are entirely non-biting, while some southern populations may blood-feed after producing an initial egg batch. W. smithii has become a model organism for studying photoperiodism and rapid evolutionary response to climate change, with documented shifts in critical photoperiod over recent decades.