(Pollenia spp.)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Pollenia are often extremely common in urban and agricultural areas. They can be the most abundant species visiting flowers in gardens. When the weather cools, they seek shelter from the cold, often in the walls and attics of humans’ homes. On warm winter days and in early spring they become active. They are often seen clustered at windows seeking escape. This is the source for the common name of the genus. If a large fly appears in your house in midwinter, it is probably a cluster fly. |
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Description |
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The following description refers only to the species that occur in North America. Pollenia are small to medium-sized flies. They are similar in appearance to house flies but slightly larger. The body is dull, not metallic. The thorax is covered with crinkly, golden-yellow hairs (setae), but these may wear away as the fly ages. On most species there are no pale longitudinal stripes on the thorax. Pollenia vagabunda has a single stripe in the middle (middorsal), but this is sometimes indistinct. The abdomen is hairy and dark gray with black and pale patches. |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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4/15/2023 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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Order |
Diptera (flies) | ||
Suborder |
Brachycera | ||
Infraorder | Cyclorrhapha | ||
Zoosection | Schizophora | ||
Zoosubsection | Calyptratae | ||
Superfamily |
Oestroidea (bot flies, blow flies, and allies) | ||
Family |
Polleniidae | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Until recently, it was thought that the genus Pollenia was represented by a single species, Pollenia rudis, in North America. Following recent revisions of the genus (Rognes, 1991; and Whitworth, 2006) there are now six species recognized in North America. |
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cluster fly (Pollenia angustigena) cluster fly (Pollenia griseotomentosa) cluster fly (Pollenia pediculata) cluster fly (Pollenia labiais [=Pollenia intermedia]) cluster fly (Pollenia vagabunda) common cluster fly (Pollenia rudis) |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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cluster flies |
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Glossary
Seta
A stiff, hair-like process on the outer surface of an organism. In Lepidoptera: A usually rigid bristle- or hair-like outgrowth used to sense touch. In mosses: The stalk supporting a spore-bearing capsule and supplying it with nutrients. Plural: setae. Adjective: setose.
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Alfredo Colon |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Other Videos |
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CLUSTER FLY Pollenia Rob Curtis |
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About
Nov 19, 2017 Pollenia GRAY CLUSTER FLY. Willow Springs, IL. 11/1/2016. |
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Cluster Flies (Calliphoridae: Pollenia) Mating Carl Barrentine |
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About
Aug 7, 2011 Photographed in Wisconsin, across the Mississippi River just North of Red Wing, Minnesota (04 August 2011). Thank you to 'v belov' (@Bugguide.net) for identying the genus for these specimens! |
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Created: 4/15/2023
Last Updated: