Pyrgotidae
Guides
Boreothrinax
Boreothrinax is a genus of flies in the family Pyrgotidae, established by Steyskal in 1978. The genus is currently considered a synonym of Pyrgota by some sources, though this status remains uncertain. It contains five described species distributed in North America.
Boreothrinax dichaetus
Boreothrinax dichaetus is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, originally described by Steyskal in 1978. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Pyrgota dichaetus, reflecting taxonomic uncertainty or reclassification within the genus. Pyrgotidae are a family of parasitoid flies known for attacking scarab beetles. Records indicate no documented observations in citizen science databases, suggesting rarity or limited detection.
Boreothrinax maculipennis
Boreothrinax maculipennis is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, a group commonly known as pyrgotid flies. Members of this family are typically parasitoids of other insects, particularly beetles. The genus Boreothrinax is part of the diverse assemblage of Diptera that have evolved specialized parasitic life histories.
Pyrgota undata
waved light fly
Pyrgota undata, commonly known as the waved light fly, is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae. It is a wasp-mimicking species that has been observed in mating pairs engaging in distinctive 'French kissing' behavior. The species has been documented in Missouri glade habitats and at bioblitz events in prairie ecosystems.
Pyrgotella chagnoni
Pyrgotella chagnoni is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, a group commonly known as pyrgotid flies. The family is characterized by parasitoid larvae that develop inside scarab beetles. This species was described by Johnson in 1900. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits the distinctive head morphology and wing venation typical of Pyrgotidae.
Sphecomyiella
Sphecomyiella is a genus of flies in the family Pyrgotidae, established by Hendel in 1933. The genus is currently considered a synonym of Pyrgota, though its taxonomic status remains uncertain across sources. Pyrgotidae are known as pyrgotid flies, a group of parasitoid flies that target scarab beetles. The genus has been recorded in iNaturalist with over 1,000 observations, suggesting some level of field recognition, though identifications may reflect historical rather than current taxonomy.
Sphecomyiella nelsoni
Sphecomyiella nelsoni is a species of pyrgotid fly described by Kondratieff & Fitzgerald in 1993. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Pyrgota nelsoni, reflecting taxonomic revisions within the family Pyrgotidae. Pyrgotid flies are a small family of Diptera known for their distinctive biology as parasitoids of scarab beetles.
Sphecomyiella valida
Sphecomyiella valida is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, a group of parasitic flies commonly known as pyrgotid flies. The species was originally described by Harris in 1841 under the name Pyrgota valida and has since been reclassified into the genus Sphecomyiella. Pyrgotidae flies are known for their distinctive biology, with larvae typically developing as parasitoids of scarab beetles. The species has been documented through over 1,000 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-recorded among pyrgotid flies.
Stenopyrgota
Stenopyrgota is a genus of flies in the family Pyrgotidae, established by Malloch in 1929. Pyrgotid flies are commonly known as pyrgotid flies or fruit flies, though they are distinct from the Tephritidae. Members of this genus are poorly known, with limited published information on their biology and ecology.
Stenopyrgota mexicana
Stenopyrgota mexicana is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, described by Malloch in 1929. The genus Stenopyrgota is part of the pyrgotid flies, a group known for their distinctive morphology and parasitic larval habits. This species is poorly documented in the literature, with minimal published information on its biology, distribution, or ecology.