Picture-winged-flies
Guides
Acrosticta
Acrosticta is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, first described by Loew in 1868. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across the Americas. Members of this genus have been documented as pollinators of orchids, specifically Acianthera aphthosa, where an unidentified Acrosticta species was the only successful pollinator observed.
Automola
Automola is a genus of flies in the family Richardiidae, established by Loew in 1873. The genus contains at least three described species: A. atomaria, A. caloptera, and A. rufa. Species in this genus are found in the New World tropics and subtropics. Richardiidae flies are commonly known as picture-winged flies due to their patterned wings.
Cephaliini
picture-winged flies
Cephaliini is a tribe of picture-winged flies within the family Ulidiidae. The tribe includes eight recognized genera: Acrostictella, Cephalia, Delphinia, Myiomyrmica, Myrmecothea, Proteseia, Pterotaenia, and Tritoxa. Members of this tribe are distinguished by their patterned wings, a characteristic feature of the Ulidiidae family. The tribe has been documented in approximately 21,000 observations on iNaturalist, indicating widespread occurrence and detectability.
Ceroxys
picture-winged flies
Ceroxys is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, comprising approximately 20 described species distributed primarily across the Northern Hemisphere. Adults are recognized by their distinctive patterned wings featuring dark spots, bars, or lines on a translucent background. The genus includes notable species such as Ceroxys latiusculus, which is common in western North America and frequently observed indoors during fall and winter. Larval development occurs in plant seed heads, particularly Senecio species.
Dyscrasis
Dyscrasis is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Aldrich in 1932. Members of this genus are characterized by patterned or banded wings, a defining feature of the Ulidiidae family. The genus is relatively poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species-level descriptions and biological data available. Observations suggest activity in temperate regions, primarily in North America.
Eumetopiella
Eumetopiella is a genus of picture-winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae) established by Hendel in 1907. The genus contains four described species: E. engeli, E. fascipennis, E. rufipes, and E. varipes. Members of this genus possess the characteristic patterned wings typical of Ulidiidae. The immature stages of E. rufipes have been studied, though detailed biological information for the genus remains limited.
Genus-novum annulipes
A genus of picture-winged flies (Ulidiidae) containing the species G. annulipes, commonly known as the "Peacock Fly." The species is notable for its distinctive wing-flicking courtship display behavior. Adults are small (3.5-5.5 mm) with patterned wings. The genus belongs to a family of flies rarely considered pests, with larvae typically developing in concealed habitats such as under bark.
Myennidini
Myennidini is a tribe of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, subfamily Otitinae. The tribe contains approximately 14 recognized genera, including the type genus Myennis. Members of this tribe are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and are found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.
Myrmecothea
Myrmecothea is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Hendel in 1910. The genus contains a single described species, Myrmecothea myrmecoides (Loew, 1860). These flies are recognized for their distinctive wing patterns and ant-mimicking appearance. Records indicate limited but documented observations across their known range.
Notogramma
Notogramma is a genus of picture-winged flies (family Ulidiidae) established by Loew in 1868. The genus contains at least five described species distributed across multiple continents. Like other ulidiids, members of this genus are characterized by patterned wings with distinct dark markings. The genus has been documented in iNaturalist with over 260 observations, indicating moderate recognition among naturalists.
Omomyia hirsuta
Omomyia hirsuta is a species of picture-winged fly in the family Richardiidae, described by Coquillett in 1907. The specific epithet 'hirsuta' refers to its hairy appearance. Richardiidae flies are generally small to medium-sized with distinctive wing patterns and are often associated with decaying plant material or fungi. The genus Omomyia contains relatively few described species, and O. hirsuta appears to be rarely encountered based on limited collection records.
Otites
Otites is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Latreille in 1804. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. Species are characterized by distinctive wing patterns typical of ulidiid flies. Two recently described species from Israel and Cyprus exhibit unusual male terminalia and extended copulation duration compared to other Otitini.
Otitinae
Otitinae is a subfamily of picture-winged flies within the family Ulidiidae, formerly treated as the separate family Otitidae. The group comprises approximately 50 genera distributed across three tribes: Cephaliini, Myennidini, and Otitini. Most species are herbivorous or saprophagous, with some exhibiting psammophilous (sand-loving) habits. The subfamily is distinguished from similar groups by specific wing venation characters.
Pseudoseioptera
Pseudoseioptera is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Stackelberg in 1955. The genus includes at least four described species: P. albipes, P. colon, P. dubiosa, and P. ingrica. Members of this genus possess the characteristic patterned wings typical of Ulidiidae. One species, P. albipes, has been documented from Massachusetts.
Pseudotephritina
Pseudotephritina is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Malloch in 1931. The genus contains at least two described species: P. cribellum (Loew, 1873) and P. inaequalis (Malloch, 1931). As members of the Ulidiidae family, these flies possess characteristically patterned wings that serve in species recognition and courtship displays. The genus is distinguished from related ulidiid genera by specific wing venation and body proportions, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Pseudotephritis
Pseudotephritis is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, containing five described species distributed across North America, Europe, and East Asia. Species in this genus are saproxylic, with larvae developing in weakened and dying deciduous trees. Adults are typically collected in forest canopies and are attracted to fermenting baits. The genus was established by Johnson in 1902.
Seioptera
Seioptera is a genus of picture-winged flies (family Ulidiidae) established by Kirby & Spence in 1817. The genus contains five recognized species distributed across parts of Europe and North America. Like other ulidiids, members of this genus are characterized by their patterned wings. The genus has been documented in Scandinavia, Denmark, and the northeastern United States.
Steneretma
Steneretma is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Loew in 1873. The genus contains at least one described species, S. laticauda. Like other ulidiids, members of this genus are characterized by patterned or marked wings. The genus is poorly known, with limited observational records and minimal published biological information.
Stenomyia
Stenomyia is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae. The genus was established by Loew in 1868 and contains species characterized by distinctive wing patterns. Members of this genus are relatively poorly documented in scientific literature compared to other ulidiid genera.
Tetropismenus
Tetropismenus is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Loew in 1876. The genus contains at least one described species, T. hirtus. Ulidiid flies are characterized by their distinctive patterned wings, which function in species recognition and courtship displays. Members of this genus are part of the diverse dipteran fauna associated with decaying plant material and fungal substrates.