True-flies

Guides

  • Camptoprosopella dolorosa

    Camptoprosopella dolorosa is a species of true fly in the family Lauxaniidae, originally described by Williston in 1903. The genus Camptoprosopella belongs to a moderately diverse family of small to medium-sized flies commonly known as lauxaniid flies. These flies are generally recognized by their characteristic wing venation and often distinctive coloration patterns. The species epithet 'dolorosa' (Latin for 'painful' or 'sorrowful') may refer to some aspect of the type specimen's appearance or collection circumstances, though the original description would be needed to confirm this.

  • Diptera

    Flies, True Flies

    Diptera is one of the largest insect orders, containing an estimated 1,000,000 species including house flies, mosquitoes, robber flies, and crane flies. The name derives from Greek 'di-' (two) and 'pteron' (wing), referring to the single functional pair of wings—the hindwings have evolved into halteres, small knobbed structures that function as gyroscopic organs for flight stabilization. This wing modification distinguishes Diptera from all other winged insects and enables their characteristic agile flight. The order exhibits extraordinary diversity in form, size (1-50+ mm), and ecological roles, with species occupying nearly every terrestrial and freshwater habitat.

  • Drymeia

    Drymeia is a genus of true flies in the family Muscidae, tribe Azeliini. The genus was established by Meigen in 1826 and contains approximately 31 documented observations on iNaturalist. As a member of Muscidae, Drymeia species are part of a diverse group of calyptrate flies commonly associated with various terrestrial habitats.

  • Heleomyza serrata

    Heleomyza serrata is a small fly in the family Heleomyzidae, measuring 3–7 mm in body length. The species is distinguished by specific chaetotaxy: setae present on the propleura, multiple pairs of setae on the prothorax, and at most one hair on the mesopleura. Males possess distinctive genitalia with rudimentary aedeagus, unexpanded epandrium base, and surstyles that are much longer than the epandrium and evenly curved throughout their length.

  • Melanomyza femoralis

    Melanomyza femoralis is a species of fly in the family Lauxaniidae, a group of small to medium-sized flies commonly known as lauxaniid flies. The species was described by Loew in 1861. Like other members of this family, it is likely associated with decaying vegetation and fungal substrates, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Melanomyza contains multiple species distributed across various regions, with adults typically found in wooded or brushy habitats.

  • Morellia

    Morellia is a large genus of true flies in the family Muscidae. Members are robust, dark-colored flies with distinctive thoracic patterning. The genus was established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 and contains numerous species distributed across multiple continents.

  • Mydaeinae

    Mydaeinae is a subfamily of true flies within the family Muscidae. The subfamily comprises eight recognized genera including Brontaea, Graphomya, Hebecnema, Hemichlora, Mydaea, Myospila, Scenetes, and Scutellomusca. Members of this subfamily are morphologically diverse and occupy various ecological niches. The genus Mydaea is particularly well-represented in observations, suggesting it may be among the more commonly encountered groups. Mydaeinae flies share the general muscid body plan but exhibit distinctive characteristics that warrant their separation from other muscid subfamilies.

  • Pachyceramyia robusta

    Pachyceramyia robusta is a species of true fly in the family Muscidae, described by Johnson in 1917. It belongs to the subfamily Coenosiinae and tribe Limnophorini. Very little is documented about this species beyond its taxonomic placement.

  • Psychodidae

    Moth flies, Drain flies, Sink flies, Filter flies, Sewer gnats, Sand flies

    Psychodidae is a large family of true flies comprising over 2,600 described species worldwide, with highest diversity in humid tropical regions. Members exhibit distinctive short, hairy bodies and wings that create a moth-like appearance. The family encompasses two ecologically divergent groups: non-biting moth flies that inhabit moist, decaying organic matter and plumbing systems, and blood-feeding sand flies (subfamily Phlebotominae) that serve as disease vectors.

  • Schoenomyza dorsalis

    Schoenomyza dorsalis is a species of true fly in the family Muscidae, subfamily Coenosiinae. Described by Loew in 1872, it belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized flies commonly associated with wetland and semi-aquatic habitats. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal observational records available.

  • Senopterina mexicana

    Senopterina mexicana is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Macquart in 1844. Platystomatid flies are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and are commonly known as signal flies due to their habit of waving their wings while walking. The genus Senopterina is part of this diverse family of true flies, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in available literature.