Predatory-flies
Guides
Phyllodromia
dance flies
Phyllodromia is a genus of dance flies in the family Empididae, established by Zetterstedt in 1837. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in Europe and North America. Species within this genus are small to medium-sized predatory flies. Several species were described by Plant in 2005, indicating ongoing taxonomic work.
Plunomia
Plunomia is a genus of flies in the family Chamaemyiidae, described by Curran in 1934. Members of this family are commonly known as aphid flies or chammy flies, many of which are predators or parasitoids of aphids and other Homoptera. The genus is rarely encountered and poorly represented in collections, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist. Chamaemyiidae as a whole are small, delicate flies that occupy a specialized ecological niche as biological control agents.
Proctacanthella
Proctacanthella is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising approximately eight described species. The genus was established by Bromley in 1934. Species within this genus are predatory, with documented prey recognition behaviors in at least one species.
Prolatiforceps
Prolatiforceps is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Martin in 1975. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Asilinae and tribe Asilini. The genus is rarely documented, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist. As with other robber flies, species in this genus are predatory as adults.
Prorates
Prorates is a genus of small predatory flies in the family Scenopinidae (window flies), established by Melander in 1906. The genus belongs to the subfamily Proratinae, which is characterized by distinctive morphological features and predatory habits. Members of this genus are poorly known biologically, with limited published information on their ecology and behavior. The genus is distinguished from other scenopinid genera primarily by structural characteristics of the head, antennae, and male terminalia.
Psilocurus
Psilocurus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 13-14 described species. These predatory dipterans are part of the diverse asilid fauna, though specific biological details for most species remain poorly documented. The genus was established by Hermann Loew in 1874.
Rhagio
snipe flies, downlooker flies, down-looker flies
Rhagio is a worldwide genus of predatory snipe flies (Diptera: Rhagionidae) comprising approximately 170 species. Several species are known as 'downlooker' or 'down-looker' flies due to their habit of perching on tree trunks in a head-down position. The genus can be distinguished from other rhagionids by two key wing characters: an open anal cell and the absence of a kidney-shaped arista. Taxonomic revisions have been published for both eastern and western Nearctic species.
Rhamphomyia
dance flies
Rhamphomyia is a large genus of dance flies (Empididae) comprising over 600 species arranged in 8 subgenera. The genus exhibits remarkable diversity in mating systems, including sex-role reversal where females compete for mates and males provide nuptial gifts. Several species display elaborate visual ornaments used in courtship, such as inflatable abdominal sacs and modified leg scales. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with particular diversity in the Holarctic region, including specialized radiations in arctic tundra environments.
Saropogon
robber flies, assassin flies
Saropogon is a genus of predatory robber flies (Asilidae) comprising at least 128 described species globally. The genus is distinguished by a stout, often twisted spur at the antero-ventral apex of the fore tibiae, open cell m3 on the wing, and an antennal stylus with a single element. Nearctic species north of Mexico include 19 recognized species, with many exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration and wing patterns. Adults are venomous aerial predators that immobilize prey through extra-oral digestion initiated by injected venom.
Scathophaga
Dung Flies, Yellow Dung Flies
Scathophaga is a genus of small to medium-sized predatory flies in the family Scathophagidae, commonly known as dung flies. The genus includes approximately 99 described species, with Scathophaga stercoraria (the yellow dung fly) being the most extensively studied as a model organism in behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology. Adults are typically found in association with animal dung, where they engage in complex mating systems involving intense male-male competition and female mate choice. Larvae develop within dung or decaying organic matter, where they feed predaciously on other insect larvae.
Sintoria
Sintoria is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Hull in 1962. The genus contains approximately six described species, all described between 1962 and 1972. Species within this genus are distributed in the Americas, with records from western North America and Central America.
Stichopogoninae
Stichopogoninae is a subfamily of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising approximately 14 genera and at least 230 described species. Members of this subfamily are predatory flies that capture prey in flight. The subfamily was established by Hardy in 1930.
Stilpon
Stilpon is a genus of small predatory flies in the family Hybotidae, subfamily Tachydromiinae. The Nearctic fauna comprises 13 recognized species, including nine described by Cumming (1992), classified into three informal species groups: S. divergens, S. graminum, and S. varipes. The genus exhibits wing polymorphy in some species, with both macropterous and micropterous forms documented in S. graminum, S. nubilus, and S. subnubilus.
Syneches
hybotid dance flies
Syneches is a genus of hybotid dance flies (family Hybotidae) comprising over 140 described species worldwide. These small predatory flies are part of the diverse dance fly assemblage, characterized by their compact body form and agile flight. The genus has been documented from tropical to temperate regions across multiple continents. Mitochondrial genome sequencing of Syneches medoganus has provided phylogenetic insights supporting Hybotinae as sister group to Tachydromiinae.
Tabudamima
Tabudamima is a genus of stiletto flies (family Therevidae, order Diptera) established by Irwin & Lyneborg in 1981. The genus was revised by Webb & Irwin in 1999, who also described the related new genus Incoxoverpa. As a therevid genus, its species are likely predatory in the larval stage, though specific life history details remain poorly documented. The genus is distinguished from the related Tabuda by specific morphological features of the male genitalia and wing venation.
Tachydromia
Tachydromia is a cosmopolitan genus of minute, predatory hybotid flies (Diptera: Hybotidae) with approximately 17 described species in the Nearctic region and numerous species globally, though with reduced diversity in East and Southeast Asia and Africa. The genus includes both fully winged species and a distinct complex of flightless, ant-like species found in western Mediterranean forests. Adults are active predators in leaf litter and ground layer habitats. Some Iberian endemic flightless species are of conservation concern due to habitat fragmentation and climate change.
Tachydromiinae
Tachydromiinae is a subfamily of Hybotidae (Diptera) comprising small predatory flies. Members are generally 1–2 mm in length and exhibit fast-running behavior on vegetation and other surfaces. The subfamily is globally distributed with notable disjunct patterns, including genera found in both southern Africa and Central Asia. Three tribes are recognized: Symballophthalmini, Drapetini, and Tachydromiini.
Tachypeza inusta
Tachypeza inusta is a small predatory dance fly in the family Hybotidae, originally described by Melander in 1902. As a member of the genus Tachypeza, it shares the family traits of compact body form, disproportionately small spherical head, and large compound eyes that dominate the head capsule. The species has been documented in North America with observational records, though specific biological details remain limited compared to better-studied congeners. Like other hybotids, it likely occupies specialized microhabitats and exhibits predatory behavior as an adult.
Tachytrechus binodatus
Tachytrechus binodatus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1866. Members of this genus are typically found in association with moist or riparian habitats. Like other dolichopodids, they are predatory as adults. The species is part of a large and diverse family of small, often metallic flies that are challenging to identify without examination of male genitalia.
Tachytrechus vorax
Tachytrechus vorax is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Loew in 1861. As a member of this family, it shares the characteristic elongated legs and predatory habits typical of dolichopodid flies. The genus Tachytrechus is part of the diverse long-legged fly fauna of North America, though specific details about this particular species remain limited in published sources.
Xanthochlorus
Xanthochlorus is a genus of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) established by Loew in 1857. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized predatory flies with characteristic yellow-green coloration. The genus occurs in the Holarctic region, with records from Scandinavia and North America. Like other dolichopodids, members are likely associated with moist habitats near water bodies.
Xylophagus decorus
Xylophagus decorus is a species of fly in the family Xylophagidae, first described by Williston in 1885. The family Xylophagidae comprises a small group of predatory flies commonly known as awl-flies, characterized by their elongated bodies and distinctive wing venation. Xylophagus decorus occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States.
Zabrops
Zabrops is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing eight described species. The genus was established by Hull in 1958. Species within this genus are distributed in North America, with most described by Fisher in 1977. Like other robber flies, members of this genus are predatory as adults.