Scaptomyza
Guides
Scaptomyza montana
Scaptomyza montana is a small fly species in the family Drosophilidae, first described by Wheeler in 1949. It belongs to the genus Scaptomyza, a group of flies that includes both herbivorous leaf-mining species and non-herbivorous relatives. The species epithet 'montana' suggests association with mountainous habitats. Like other members of its genus, it likely shares the general body plan of small drosophilid flies with characteristic wing venation and compound eyes. The genus Scaptomyza has gained scientific attention due to its evolutionary transition to herbivory, which occurred approximately 10–15 million years ago, making it a valuable model for studying dietary adaptation in insects.
Scaptomyza terminalis
Scaptomyza terminalis is a small fly species in the family Drosophilidae, described by Loew in 1863. The genus Scaptomyza includes both microbial-feeding and herbivorous species, with some members having evolved leaf-mining habits. This species is part of a genus that has undergone evolutionary transitions to herbivory, making it relevant for studies of dietary adaptation in insects. Documentation for this specific species is limited, with only two observations recorded in iNaturalist as of the available data.