Snail-parasite
Guides
Discomyza incurva
Discomyza incurva is a small shore fly in the family Ephydridae, measuring 2.5–3 mm in length. It is distributed across the Palearctic region, including Europe (particularly southern Europe), North Africa, and parts of western Asia. The species is active during summer months, with records from July through September. It inhabits grassland habitats and has been documented as a parasite of land snails in the genus Helix.
Elgiva
snail-killing flies, marsh flies
Elgiva is a genus of snail-killing flies in the family Sciomyzidae, comprising approximately eight described species. These predatory flies are specialized in hunting aquatic or semi-aquatic snails, with larvae developing as parasitoids or predators of molluscan hosts. The genus has been studied for its biological control potential against pest snail populations.
Hoplodictya spinicornis
marsh fly
Hoplodictya spinicornis is a small marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, measuring 3–4 mm in length. The species is notable for its parasitic larval stage, which targets land snails. It has a broad distribution across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with northern extensions into Canada and the northeastern United States. The complete life cycle averages approximately 45 days.
Parachironomus
Parachironomus is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Chironomidae, subfamily Chironominae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with approximately 85 valid species worldwide. Some species are free-living aquatic larvae, while others are endoparasites of freshwater snails. Species have been recorded from diverse habitats including standing and flowing waters, soft sediments, aquatic macrophytes, and artificial urban waterbodies.