Shore-flies
Guides
Allotrichoma
A genus of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) established by Becker in 1896. Species in this genus are recorded from Russia, including Volgograd Oblast, Saratov Oblast, and the Republic of Buryatia. The genus is part of the diverse ephydrid fauna associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.
Athyroglossa
Athyroglossa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Loew in 1860. The genus contains at least 30 described species distributed primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Norway and Sweden. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with moist or aquatic environments.
Brachydeutera
Brachydeutera is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, containing approximately 16 described species. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, where they occupy the hyponeustic zone—living just below the water surface. The genus was established by Loew in 1860 and has been documented across various regions with observations spanning multiple continents.
Ceropsilopa
Ceropsilopa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Cresson in 1917. These small flies are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The genus contains few described species and remains poorly known biologically.
Clanoneurum
shore flies
Clanoneurum is a genus of shore flies (family Ephydridae) established by Becker in 1903. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across multiple continents, including C. americanum, C. cimiciforme, C. menozzii, and C. orientale. Shore flies in this family are generally associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Coenia
Coenia is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains at least six described species distributed across parts of Europe and North America. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, including margins of water bodies and moist substrates.
Cressonomyia
Cressonomyia is a genus of shore flies (Ephydridae) established by Arnaud in 1958. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal available information on its biology, ecology, or species composition. Records indicate extremely limited observational data, with only three documented observations on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff. Like other ephydrids, members of this genus are presumed to be associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, though specific ecological details remain unverified.
Diclasiopa
Diclasiopa is a genus of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) established by Friedrich Hendel in 1917. The genus is poorly documented in the literature, with limited species-level information available. Records indicate presence in northern Europe (Norway, Sweden) and minimal observational data (19 iNaturalist records). As with other ephydrids, members likely inhabit moist or aquatic environments, though specific ecological details remain unverified.
Dimecoenia
shore flies
Dimecoenia is a genus of shore flies established by Cresson in 1916, comprising approximately 18 described species. Members of this genus belong to the family Ephydridae, a diverse group of small flies commonly associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The genus is characterized by morphological features typical of ephydrid flies, though specific diagnostic traits distinguishing Dimecoenia from related genera require detailed examination.
Discomyza
Discomyza is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, first described by Meigen in 1830. The genus includes at least nine described species distributed across multiple continents. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with moist or aquatic habitats. Discomyza species have been recorded from Europe, Africa, and other regions.
Discomyzinae
Discomyzinae is a subfamily of shore flies (family Ephydridae) containing approximately 15 genera divided between two tribes: Discomyzini and Psilopini. Members are small to minute true flies associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The subfamily is well-represented in global collections with over 2,200 documented observations, though many species remain poorly studied.
Ephydrinae
shore flies
Ephydrinae is a subfamily of shore flies within the family Ephydridae, first described by Zetterstedt in 1837. The subfamily contains four recognized tribes: Ephydrini, Scatellini, Parydrini, and Dagini. Members are commonly found in association with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The group includes genera such as Ephydra, Scatella, and Parydra.
Ephydrini
Ephydrini is a tribe of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) comprising nine genera and 33 species in the Neotropical region. The tribe includes both temperate Northern Hemisphere genera (Setacera, Cirrula, Dimecoenia, Paracoenia, Ephydra) and exclusively Neotropical genera (Austrocoenia, Notiocoenia, Paraephydra, Neoephydra). Species-level identification relies heavily on male terminalia characters due to morphological similarity among species.
Gastrops
shore flies
Gastrops is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Williston in 1897. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Members of this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats typical of ephydrid flies.
Gymnomyzinae
shore flies
Gymnomyzinae is a subfamily of shore flies within the family Ephydridae. The subfamily comprises approximately seven genera and nine described species. Members are classified into five tribes: Discocerinini, Gastropini, Gymnomyzini, Hecamedini, and Lipochaetini, plus the unplaced tribe Ochtherini. The genus Ochthera, with approximately 37 described species, is the most species-rich and well-known group within this subfamily.
Hecamede
Hecamede is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, first described by Haliday in 1837. The genus is distributed across the Palearctic region, with records from Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Japan. Species in this genus are associated with saline or alkaline wetland habitats. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, specifically a figure in Homer's Iliad.
Hexacola
Hexacola is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Figitidae, subfamily Eucoilinae. These wasps are known primarily as parasitoids of dipteran hosts, particularly shore flies (Ephydridae) and eye gnats (Chloropidae). The genus includes species with both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction, and some have been studied for potential biological control applications.
Hyadina
Hyadina is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, tribe Hyadinini. The New Zealand fauna is now restricted to a single species, H. breva, following taxonomic revision. The genus is distinguished by structures of the male terminalia, which are taxonomically diagnostic.
Hydrelliinae
Hydrelliinae is a subfamily of shore flies within the family Ephydridae, comprising approximately 10 genera and at least 130 described species. These small flies are primarily associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic environments. The subfamily is distinguished by ecological and morphological traits that separate it from other ephydrid groups. Members are found across multiple continents with varying habitat preferences.
Ilytheinae
shore flies
Ilytheinae is a subfamily of shore flies within the family Ephydridae (order Diptera). The subfamily comprises two tribes: Ilytheini and Hyadinini, containing approximately 12 genera including Donaceus, Ilythea, Hyadina, and Nostima. Members of this subfamily are associated with moist or aquatic habitats, consistent with the broader ecology of Ephydridae.
Limnellia
Limnellia is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Malloch in 1925. These small dipterans are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. The genus has been recorded from northern European countries including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As with other ephydrid flies, species in this genus likely develop in moist habitats with organic matter.
Mosillus
Mosillus is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Latreille in 1804. These small flies are associated with coastal and shoreline habitats. The genus has documented records from Scandinavia and Denmark.
Nostima
Nostima is a genus of shore flies (family Ephydridae) established by Coquillett in 1900. These are minute flies measuring 0.72–1.72 mm in body length, characterized by distinctive microtomentum patterns on the body and wings. The genus contains 11 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with larvae occupying semiaquatic habitats where they feed on blue-green algae.
Pachyceramyia
Pachyceramyia is a genus of muscid flies established by Albuquerque in 1955. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Species are classified within the subfamily Coenosiinae and tribe Limnophorini, a group associated with semi-aquatic and shoreline habitats. The genus name derives from Greek roots suggesting thick or swollen horn-like structures, likely referring to distinctive antennal or facial features.
Paracoenia
shore flies
Paracoenia is a genus of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) found in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. Species within this genus are associated with thermal springs, saline or alkaline lakes, and pond margins. Larvae develop in moist substrates at water edges, while adults and larvae feed on microorganisms including filamentous blue-green algae. The genus serves as an intermediate host for parasitic water mites and has been studied as an indicator of ecosystem stability in thermal environments.
Paralimna
shore flies
Paralimna is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, first described by Loew in 1862. The genus contains at least 90 described species. These small flies are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic environments, consistent with the ecological habits of the family Ephydridae.
Pelina
Pelina is a genus of shore flies (family Ephydridae) established by Haliday in 1837. It belongs to the order Diptera, which comprises the true flies. The genus is part of the diverse family Ephydridae, commonly known as shore flies or brine flies, which are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Pelina species are small flies, though specific morphological details for the genus as a whole remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Philygria
shore flies
Philygria is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Stenhammar in 1844. The genus contains at least 40 described species, with 44 species listed in major databases. These small flies are associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.
Rhysophora
Rhysophora is a genus of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) in the tribe Discomyzini, distributed primarily in the Neotropics with two Nearctic species. The genus was revised in 2015 following discovery of four new Neotropical species, confirming its monophyly and establishing Helaeomyia as its sister group. Species diversity is greatest in South America.
Rhysophora robusta
Rhysophora robusta is a species of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, described by Cresson in 1924. The genus Rhysophora belongs to the diverse family of brine flies and shore flies, which are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species. The single iNaturalist observation suggests it remains rarely encountered or underreported.
Scatella
shore flies
Scatella is a large genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, with at least 140 described species worldwide. Species are primarily aquatic or semi-aquatic, associated with streams, seeps, and other moist habitats. Some species have adapted to artificial environments including greenhouses, where they can develop in substrates such as rockwool. The genus has notable diversity in the Pacific basin, including 17 species in the Hawaiian Islands with 15 endemics.
Scatellini
Scatellini is a tribe of small shore flies in the family Ephydridae. Members are characterized by their association with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, often found near the margins of water bodies. The tribe includes the genus Scatella, which is the most speciose and well-known group within this lineage. Scatellini flies are generally small, dark-colored, and possess distinctive wing patterns that aid in identification.
Setacera
Setacera is a genus of shore flies (family Ephydridae) established by Cresson in 1930. The genus occurs in multiple continents including Australia, where at least one species (S. breviventris) has been documented. As ephydrid flies, members of this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Typopsilopa
Typopsilopa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Cresson in 1916. The genus contains approximately 19 described species. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, often found along shorelines and in moist environments.
Zeros
Zeros is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, described by Cresson in 1943. These small flies are part of the diverse dipteran fauna associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. As a genus within Ephydridae, members are presumed to have larvae that develop in moist or aquatic environments, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.