freeloader flies
(Family Milichiidae)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Milichiidae adults are small to very small. They can be 1⁄32″ to ¼″ (1 to 7 mm) in length, but most are no more than ⅛″ (3 mm) in length. Most are shiny and black, some are brown, orange, or yellow, and some appear silvery due to a covering of minute, silvery hairs on the upper side of the abdomen of the male. On the top of the head, the two postvertical bristles either converge or are parallel. On the face, at least one pair of the lower orbital bristles are bent inward. When viewed from the side, the face is not deeply hollowed out between the antennae and the mouthparts. The antennae have three segments. The second segment is not grooved. The third segment is sometimes very large, and there is a bristle (arista) on the upper surface. On many species, the eyes are red. On most species, the tube-like mouthpart (proboscis) is fairly long, and it is jointed in the middle, knee-like. It is folded below the head when not in use. The sensory hairs around the mouth (vibrissae) are present, but they are weakly developed. The thorax is not crossed by a continuous groove. The abdomen is short and wide. The wings are variable in both shape and color. They have complete first basal, second basal, anal, and discal cells. The anal cell is short, closed, and very small. There is no sub-apical cell. The costa has a break near the humeral cross vein and another near the end of vein R1. There is just one small lobe (calypter) at the base of the wing. If a second lobe is present, it is much reduced. The fourth leg segment (tibia) on each leg does not have a bristle on the upper side near the tip. |
Distribution |
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| 7/29/2024 | ||
Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Suborder |
Brachycera |
Infraorder |
Cyclorrhapha |
Zoosection |
Schizophora |
Zoosubsection |
Acalyptratae |
Superfamily |
Carnoidea |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Subfamily Madizinae Genus Desmometopa Desmometopa flavicoxa Desmometopa inaurata Desmometopa m-nigrum Desmometopa microps Desmometopa nearctica Desmometopa nigrifemorata Desmometopa sordida Desmometopa tarsalis Desmometopa varipalpis Genus Leptometopa Leptometopa beardsleyi Leptometopa flaviceps Leptometopa halteralis Leptometopa latipes Leptometopa rufifrons Genus Madiza Madiza glabra
Subfamily Milichiinae Genus Eusiphona Eusiphona cooperi Eusiphona mira Genus Milichia Milichia aethiops Milichia canariensis Milichia ludens Milichia mixta Milichia patrizii Milichia pubescens Milichia speciosa Genus Milichiella Milichiella arcuata Milichiella argyrogaster Milichiella bimaculata Milichiella bisignata Milichiella freyi Milichiella lacteipennis Milichiella melaleuca Genus Pholeomyia Pholeomyia indecora
Subfamily Phyllomyzinae Genus Aldrichiomyza Aldrichiomyza agromyzina Genus Neophyllomyza Neophyllomyza acyglossa Genus Paramyia Paramyia nitens Paramyia pseudonitens Genus Phyllomyza Phyllomyza donisthorpei Phyllomyza equitans Phyllomyza longipalpis Phyllomyza milnei Phyllomyza pallida Phyllomyza securicornis Genus Stomosis Stomosis vittata |
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Synonyms |
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Phyllomyzidae |
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Common Names |
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filth flies freeloader flies jackal flies |
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Glossary
Arista
A large bristle on the upper side of the third segment of the antenna of a fly. Plural: aristae.
Calypter
On flies: one of two small membranous lobes at the base of the forewing that covers the haltere.
Proboscis
The tube-like protruding mouthpart(s) of a sucking insect.
Tibia
The fourth segment of an insect leg, after the femur and before the tarsus (foot). The fifth segment of a spider leg or palp.
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Dan W. Andree |
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I became acquainted with the Jackal Flies... I seen a northern crab spider on a blanket flower it had an insect caught and feeding on it when a few small flies showed up, then more and more. They somewhat circled the crab spider and a couple tried sneaking in and at times the spider would take one of its legs and flick it at the flies. |
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Anyway I googled small flies surround a crab spider feeding. I seen a lady had a video of a crab spider that caught a honey bee and she called the flies trying to get in on it Jackal Flies. They were doing what I seen some do. But anyway I filmed it on and off for a good 2-3 minutes since the spider had turned nice colors and the flower etc. But anyway I got some nice footage and when I seen how it is laid out etc. it reminded of a small segment of something Nat. Geo. "somewhat". The photo is a frame grab from 4K video. I just shrunk down smaller. Crab spiders are neat little spiders and can change color somewhat to their surroundings. Also they are so small and harmless to people. They may take a honey bee or some other insect people wouldn’t want a spider to catch, but they aren’t a threat to any species declining because of them. Crab spiders will also feed on other insects like stink bugs, flies, and numerous others including one I seen in the past had a yellow jacket wasp for lunch. I’m not a fan of yellow jacket wasps. |
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Other Videos |
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Milichiidae gen. sp. cleptoparasitism |
About
Oct 27, 2019 Xysticus and Apis and Milichiidae gen. sp. |
"Meet the Freeloader Flies: The Tiny but Mighty Insects with a Sneaky Side" |
About
Apr 18, 2023 Milichiidae is a family of small, non-biting flies commonly known as the freeloader flies or jackal flies. They are found worldwide, with over 230 species described, and are typically 1-5mm in length. Milichiidae are often found in association with other insects, especially bees and wasps, and are known to feed on pollen, nectar, and other materials found in the nests of these insects. Some species are also known to be kleptoparasites, stealing food and other resources from other insects. The body of Milichiidae is typically elongated, with a distinct head and thorax, and long, slender legs. The wings are usually clear or lightly tinted, with distinct veins and a characteristic pattern of dark spots or stripes. The antennae are also long and slender, and may be bent or curved. Milichiidae are generally considered to be harmless to humans, and are not known to transmit any diseases or cause any significant damage to crops or other agricultural products. They are, however, important components of many ecosystems, playing important roles in pollination, decomposition, and other ecological processes. |
Visitor Sightings |
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Dan W. Andree |
Location: Norman Co. Mn. I seen a northern crab spider on a blanket flower it had an insect caught and feeding on it when a few small flies showed up, then more and more. They somewhat circled the crab spider and a couple tried sneaking in and at times the spider would take one of its legs and flick it at the flies. |
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Anyway I googled small flies surround a crab spider feeding. I seen a lady had a video of a crab spider that caught a honey bee and she called the flies trying to get in on it Jackal Flies. They were doing what I seen some do. But anyway I filmed it on and off for a good 2-3 minutes since the spider had turned nice colors and the flower etc. But anyway I got some nice footage and when I seen how it is laid out etc. it reminded of a small segment of something Nat. Geo. "somewhat". The photo is a frame grab from 4K video. I just shrunk down smaller. Crab spiders are neat little spiders and can change color somewhat to their surroundings. Also they are so small and harmless to people. They may take a honey bee or some other insect people wouldn’t want a spider to catch, but they aren’t a threat to any species declining because of them. Crab spiders will also feed on other insects like stink bugs, flies, and numerous others including one I seen in the past had a yellow jacket wasp for lunch. I’m not a fan of yellow jacket wasps. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 7/30/2024 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |