Snail-killing-fly
Guides
Dictya pictipes
Dictya pictipes is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, a group commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory habits of their larvae. The species was first described by Loew in 1859 under the basionym Tetanocera pictipes. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, adults are typically found in moist habitats near water. The genus Dictya is classified within the tribe Tetanocerini of the subfamily Sciomyzinae.
Limnia
Limnia is a genus of flies in the family Sciomyzidae (marsh flies or snail-killing flies). Species are malacophagous, with larvae that parasitize or prey upon pulmonate snails. The genus occurs across the West-Palearctic region, with some species extending into Asia. Larvae typically develop through three instars, with early instars acting as parasitoids and later instars becoming predators or scavengers.
Oidematops
Oidematops is a monotypic genus of flies in the family Sciomyzidae, containing only the species Oidematops ferrugineus. The genus was established by Cresson in 1920. Members of Sciomyzidae are commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies due to the predatory or parasitic habits of their larvae.
Oidematops ferrugineus
Oidematops ferrugineus is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Cresson in 1920. The genus Oidematops is a small group within the Sciomyzidae, a family commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory or parasitic habits of their larvae on mollusks. This species has been recorded from Vermont and other locations in the United States. Sciomyzidae larvae are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats where their gastropod hosts occur.
Paradryomyza setosa
Paradryomyza setosa is a species of true fly in the family Dryomyzidae, a group commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies. The species was described by Bigot in 1886. Like other members of Dryomyzidae, it belongs to a family whose larvae are known to develop in terrestrial snails and slugs, making them predators of mollusks. The genus Paradryomyza contains relatively few described species, and P. setosa is among the better-documented members of this genus.
Pherbecta limenitis
A species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Steyskal in 1956. Members of this family are commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory habits of their larvae. The genus name Pherbecta and species epithet limenitis suggest taxonomic relationships, though the specific etymology of the species name (shared with the butterfly genus Limenitis) may reflect morphological or ecological parallels rather than direct biological connection.
Pherbellia schoenherri
Spot-winged Little Snailkiller
Pherbellia schoenherri is a small snail-killing fly in the family Sciomyzidae, distributed across the Palearctic region. Adults measure 4–5 mm and exhibit distinctive wing patterning with spinules on the costal vein. The species is notable for its specialized parasitoid life history: females oviposit on the shells of amber snails (Succineidae), particularly Succinea putris, and the larvae consume the host animal before pupating within the shell. It is among the most common and widespread Sciomyzidae in Europe, with an exceptionally long flight period spanning most of the year.
Pteromicra pleuralis
Pteromicra pleuralis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, originally described as Dichrochira pleuralis by Cresson in 1920. The genus Pteromicra is part of the tribe Sciomyzini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. Members of this genus are generally small to medium-sized flies associated with wetland habitats. The species is poorly documented in the literature, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology.
Renocera striata
Renocera striata is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, a group commonly known as snail-killing flies due to the predatory or parasitic larval associations with molluscs. The species was described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1830, originally placed in the genus Sciomyza. It is recorded from parts of northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, its biology is likely tied to aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats where gastropod hosts occur, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Sepedon armipes
marsh fly
Sepedon armipes is a North American species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, commonly known as snail-killing flies. Like other members of its genus, its larvae are aquatic predators of pulmonate snails. The species exhibits early-season activity, with adults observed active as early as February.
Sepedon floridensis
Florida snail-killing fly
A species of snail-killing marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, endemic to Florida. Adults are active in early spring and are associated with aquatic habitats where their predatory larvae feed on pulmonate snails. The species was described by Steyskal in 1951 and belongs to a genus with 20 recognized species in North America, many of which have been investigated for potential biological control of snail vectors of parasitic diseases.
Sepedon gracilicornis
snail-killing fly
Sepedon gracilicornis is a species of snail-killing fly in the family Sciomyzidae, described by Orth in 1986. It belongs to a genus of approximately twenty North American species whose larvae are obligate predators of aquatic pulmonate snails. The species has been documented through limited observations, with records indicating presence in wetland and aquatic edge habitats.
Sepedon neili
Sepedon neili is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1951. Like other members of the genus Sepedon, it is a snail-killing fly whose larvae are aquatic predators of pulmonate snails. The species belongs to one of several species groups within Sepedon based on shared morphological characteristics. Adult flies are associated with wetland habitats where their snail prey occur.
Sepedon tenuicornis
marsh fly
Sepedon tenuicornis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Cresson in 1920. Like other members of the genus Sepedon, this species has aquatic predatory larvae that feed on pulmonate snails. The genus comprises approximately 20 recognized species in North America, arranged into species groups based on shared morphological characteristics. Adults are slender flies with elongated bodies, concave faces, and prominent antennae.
Tetanocera vicina
Tetanocera vicina is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Macquart in 1844. Members of this genus are commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies due to their specialized larval biology. The species is part of a group of Diptera whose larvae are predators or parasitoids of freshwater snails, playing a distinctive ecological role in aquatic ecosystems. As with many Sciomyzidae, detailed species-level biology remains incompletely documented.