Platystomatidae
Guides
Platystoma seminationis
Dancing Kiss Fly
Platystoma seminationis is a small signal fly (family Platystomatidae) distributed across Europe and the Near East, with introduced populations in North America. Adults are active from May to October and are known for their distinctive courtship ritual, in which males and females touch proboscises for 5–15 seconds after a dance of rapprochement. The species feeds primarily on nectar and pollen of Euphorbia species, as well as feces, while larvae develop in decaying vegetable matter and fungi.
Pogonortalis
signal flies
Pogonortalis is a genus of signal flies (family Platystomatidae) containing approximately seven described species. Members of this genus are found primarily in the Australasian region. The genus was established by Hendel in 1911. Species within Pogonortalis share the characteristic features of Platystomatidae, including prominent patterned wings used in signaling displays.
Rivellia cognata
Rivellia cognata is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Cresson in 1919. Signal flies are characterized by their distinctive wing movements used for intraspecific communication. This species belongs to a genus whose members are associated with leguminous plants, though specific biological details for R. cognata remain poorly documented.
Rivellia conjuncta
Rivellia conjuncta is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Loew in 1873. Signal flies are recognized for their distinctive wing-waving behavior, which serves as intraspecific communication for mate recruitment. The genus Rivellia includes species associated with leguminous plants, with larvae typically feeding on root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Specific biological details for R. conjuncta remain poorly documented in available literature.
Rivellia coquilletti
Rivellia coquilletti is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Hendel in 1914. Signal flies in this genus are associated with leguminous plants, with larvae feeding on nitrogen-fixing root nodules. The species is closely related to R. quadrifasciata and R. colei, with which it shares sympatric distributions in parts of North America. Adult signal flies are recognized by their characteristic wing-waving behavior used for intraspecific communication.
Rivellia flavimana
Rivellia flavimana is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Loew in 1873. As a member of the genus Rivellia, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized flies known for their distinctive wing-waving behavior and patterned wings used in intraspecific communication. The species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Rivellia floridana
Florida signal fly
Rivellia floridana is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Johnson in 1900. As a member of the genus Rivellia, it shares the family's characteristic wing-waving behavior used for intraspecific signaling. The species is known from Florida, though detailed biological information is sparse. Signal flies in this genus typically have larvae that develop in association with plant root nodules, particularly in leguminous plants.
Rivellia inaequata
Rivellia inaequata is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Namba in 1956. The genus Rivellia comprises small flies associated with leguminous plants, with larvae typically feeding on nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Like other platystomatids, adults are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and constant wing movement during walking. The species is known from limited observations and appears to be far less documented than congeners such as R. quadrifasciata.
Rivellia micans
Rivellia micans is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Loew in 1873. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group known for their distinctive wing-waving behavior. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with only two observations recorded in iNaturalist. Most biological information about Rivellia species remains unknown or inferred from better-studied congeners.
Rivellia munda
Rivellia munda is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Namba in 1956. As a member of this family, it likely exhibits the characteristic wing-waving behavior used for intraspecific communication. The genus Rivellia includes species associated with leguminous plants, where larvae feed on nitrogen-fixing root nodules. However, specific details regarding R. munda's biology, host associations, and distribution remain poorly documented in available literature.
Rivellia occulta
signal fly
Rivellia occulta is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Wulp in 1898. Like other members of this family, it is characterized by distinctive wing markings and wing-waving behavior used for intraspecific communication. The species belongs to a genus containing several agriculturally associated species, though specific information about this particular species remains limited.
Rivellia quadrifasciata
soybean nodule fly
Rivellia quadrifasciata, commonly known as the soybean nodule fly, is a signal fly in the family Platystomatidae. The species is native to eastern North America, where it originally fed on tick trefoil (Desmodium spp.) before adapting to cultivated legumes. Larvae feed on nitrogen-fixing root nodules of host plants, including soybean, cowpea, and common bean. Despite this feeding habit, the species causes only minor economic damage due to the compensatory growth abilities of soybean. Adults are characterized by their distinctive wing-waving behavior, which gives the family its common name.
Rivellia tersa
Rivellia tersa is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Namba in 1956. As a member of the genus Rivellia, it likely shares the family's characteristic wing-waving behavior used for intraspecific signaling. The genus Rivellia includes species associated with leguminous plants, with larvae feeding on nitrogen-fixing root nodules. However, specific details about R. tersa's biology, host associations, and distribution remain poorly documented in available literature.
Rivellia vaga
Rivellia vaga is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Namba in 1956. Like other members of the genus Rivellia, it belongs to a group of flies known for their distinctive wing movements used in intraspecific communication. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging genus where some closely related species require examination of male genitalia for definitive identification.
Rivellia winifredae
Rivellia winifredae is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Namba in 1956. It has been documented in association with Apios americana (groundnut), a leguminous plant native to eastern North America. As with other members of the genus Rivellia, the species likely has larvae that develop in root nodules of its host plant.
Senopterina
signal flies
Senopterina is a genus of signal flies in the family Platystomatidae, established by Macquart in 1835. The genus contains approximately 17 described species. Signal flies in this family are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and often flattened body shapes. Members of Senopterina are found in various regions, though specific distribution details for the genus as a whole remain incompletely documented.
Senopterina caerulescens
signal fly
Senopterina caerulescens is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Loew in 1873. Signal flies are named for their distinctive wing movements used in courtship displays. The species is part of a diverse family of true flies known for elaborate behavioral displays and often striking coloration.
Senopterina foxleei
signal fly
Senopterina foxleei is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Shewell in 1962. Signal flies are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and behaviors involving wing signaling. The species is part of a genus distributed primarily in the Nearctic region. Observations suggest it is an active, diurnal fly often found in wooded or forested habitats.
Senopterina mexicana
Senopterina mexicana is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Macquart in 1844. Platystomatid flies are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and are commonly known as signal flies due to their habit of waving their wings while walking. The genus Senopterina is part of this diverse family of true flies, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Senopterina varia
Senopterina varia is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Coquillett in 1900. Signal flies are known for their distinctive wing patterns and courtship behaviors involving wing signaling. The genus Senopterina is part of a diverse family of acalyptrate flies found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.