Minnesota Flies
Order Diptera |
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Diptera (flies) is the order of insects that is characterized as having a single pair of functional wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres, reduced, knob-like structures derived from the hind wings, on the metathorax. The order includes true flies, mosquitos, gnats, and midges. There are more than 150,000 described, still living species worldwide, though there are thought to be twice that number, 17,000 species in North America north of Mexico. |
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Recent Additions |
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Ferruginous tiger crane fly |
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With over 15,000 described species, the family Tipulidae (crane flies) is one of the largest families of true flies (Diptera). More than 1,600 species occur in North America. The subfamily Tipulinae (large crane flies) contains the largest of the crane flies. In North America, the vast majority of species are in the genera Tipula and Nephrotoma. The genus Nephrotoma (tiger crane flies) contains about 150 described species. The most common of these is ferruginous tiger crane fly (Nephrotoma ferruginea). “Ferruginous” means reddish-brown or rust colored, but ferruginous tiger crane fly is more often described as orange in color. It is distinguished from other crane flies by the body color, the antennae that are entirely black except for the first two segments, and by a black spot at each end of a groove across the thorax. |
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| Photo by Alfredo Colon | ||||
Band-winged crane fly |
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Band-winged crane fly (Epiphragma fasciapenne) is a common, easily identified, moderate-sized crane fly. It occurs in the eastern United States and adjacent Canadian provinces east of the Great Plains. Eastern Minnesota is at the western edge of its range. It is found in floodplain woodlands and wooded areas adjacent to swamps. Like all crane flies, the body is long and slim, the wings are long and narrow, and the legs are very long, very thin, and very fragile. The thorax has a distinct, V-shaped groove on top. The lower jaws each have a very long, antenna-like extension. Band-winged crane fly is distinguished by the distinctive wing pattern with four bands of bordered brown spots, and by a dark brown band at the very tip of the third leg segment. |
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| Photo by Alfredo Colon | ||||
Lesser bulb fly (Eumerus spp.) |
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Eumerus is a genus of small hoverflies in the family Syrphidae. With 281 known species, it is one of the largest genera of flies. It is found throughout the Palearctic realm, which includes Europe, Asia north of the Himalayas, North Africa, and the northern and central parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Several Eumerus species have been introduced into North and South America. Three of these are known to occur in the United States: lesser bulb fly (Eumerus funeralis), narcissus bulb fly (Eumerus narcissi), and onion bulb fly (Eumerus strigatus). Collectively, they are known as lesser bulb flies. Adult lesser bulb flies are black tinged with bronze. They have pale longitudinal stripes on the thorax and silvery-white stripes on the abdomen. The larvae are considered pests. They tunnel into plant bulbs, causing the bulbs to rot. The bulb either dies or produces stunted growth in the following growing season. In some areas, up to 25% of narcissus bulbs are infected. |
_01it.jpg "Lesser bulb fly (Eumerus spp.)") |
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| Photo by Alfredo Colon | ||||
Long-tailed dance fly |
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Long-tailed dance fly (Rhamphomyia longicauda) is a small, black, long-legged fly. It is commonly found from May to July in deciduous woods near water. The wings are long and black. The head is round with large bright orange or red eyes. On the female, the middle and hind legs have a fringe of long, black, bristly hairs. Every evening around sunset, males and females collect in same-sex swarms. Females and fly up and down, the behavior that gives this family its common name “dance-flies”. Females cannot hunt for prey. They receive protein from males as gifts in exchange for copulation. They swallow air, filling and extending their abdomen outward, saucer-like, falsely signaling males that their eggs are nearing maturity. The long hairy legs wrap around the abdomen, making it appear even larger. Males are attracted to females that have largest swollen abdomens and hairiest legs. An individual will break off and join the other swarm to select a mate. |
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| Photo by Alfredo Colon | ||||
Bumble bee mimic robber fly (Laphria sacrator) |
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With 7,003 species in 530 genera worldwide, robber flies are one of the largest and most abundant families of insects alive today. Bee-like robber flies, as the common name for the genus suggests, resemble bees. There are 240 species of bee-like robber flies, 62 species in North America north of Mexico. Few of the species have been given a common name. Laphria sacrator is one of several species famous for being a bumble bee mimic, so “bumble bee mimic robber fly” will stand in for the common name. Bumble bee mimic robber fly (Laphria sacrator) is a short, robust, medium-sized, bee-like robber fly. It is fairly common in northeastern and north-central United States, including Minnesota. It has a stout thorax and a short abdomen, both partially covered with long yellow hairs making it resemble a bumble bee. It is one of the hairiest of the bee-like robber flies. Adults are ⅝″ to 1″ long. |
_01it.jpg "bumble bee mimic robber fly (Laphria sacrator)") |
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| Photo by Christa Rittberg | ||||
Other Recent Additions |
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large crane fly (Tipula borealis) European crane fly (Tipula paludosa) bee-like robber fly (Laphria canis complex) |
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| Photo by Alfredo Colon | ||||
This list includes only flies that have been recorded in Minnesota, but not all of the flies found in Minnesota. |
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American snout fly (Rhingia nasica) |
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antlered crane fly (Tanyptera dorsalis) |
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bald-faced hornet fly (Spilomyia fusca) |
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bare-winged aphideater (Eupeodes perplexus) |
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bee-like robber fly (Laphria ithypyga) |
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benign deer fly (Chrysops mitis) |
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bird hover fly (Eupeodes volucris) |
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black fly (Family Simuliidae) |
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black spur fly (Teuchocnemis lituratus) |
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black-footed globetail (Sphaerophoria philanthus) |
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black-horned pufftail (Sphegina rufiventris) |
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black-legged bog fly (Parhelophilus flavifacies) |
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black-spotted falsehorn (Temnostoma excentrica) |
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blackjack oak leaf gall midge (Polystepha globosa) |
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broad-banded hornet fly (Spilomyia alcimus) |
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broad-headed marsh fly (Helophilus latifrons) |
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broad-striped globetail (Sphaerophoria brevipilosa) |
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Brooks’ bog fly (Parhelophilus brooksi) |
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brown robber fly (Proctacanthella cacopiliga) |
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brown-footed horse fly (Tabanus fulvicallus) |
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Canada thistle stem gall fly (Urophora cardui) |
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chained horse fly (Tabanus catenatus) |
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common bog fly (Parhelophilus laetus) |
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common drone fly (Eristalis tenax) |
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common oblique syrphid fly (Allograpta obliqua) |
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common picture-winged fly (Delphinia picta) |
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common thickleg (Tropidia quadrata) |
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dance fly (Rhamphomyia fumosa) |
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dance fly (Rhamphomyia irregularis) |
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dance fly (Rhamphomyia luteiventris) |
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dance fly (Rhamphomyia pulla) |
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dance fly (Rhamphomyia vittata) |
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deer fly (Chrysops spp.) |
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devil’s leafwalker (Chalcosyrphus satanica) |
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dimorphic sickleleg (Polydontomyia curvipes) |
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dung fly (Scathophaga furcata) |
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dusky bog fly (Parhelophilus rex) |
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dusky mucksucker (Orthonevra pulchella) |
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dusky-banded leafwalker (Chalcosyrphus nemorum) |
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dusky-veined mucksucker (Orthonevra pictipennis) |
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eastern catkin fly (Brachypalpus oarus) |
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eastern swiftwing (Volucella evecta) |
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ebony pithead (Pipiza atrata) |
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European drone fly (Eristalis arbustorum) |
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face fly (Musca autumnalis) |
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fen flies (Neoascia spp.) |
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friendly fly (Sarcophaga aldrichi) |
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gall midge (Harmandiola cavernosa) |
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gall midge (Rhopalomyia artemisiae) |
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gall midge (Rhopalomyia baccarum) |
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giant crane fly (Tipula abdominalis) |
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giant robber fly (Promachus fitchii) |
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gnat ogre (Holcocephala calva) |
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goldenback (Pterallastes thoracicus) |
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golden-backed snipe fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus) |
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grape gall midge (Schizomyia vitiscoryloides) |
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hairy-eyed mimic (Mallota posticata) |
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horse fly (Tabanus turbidus) |
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house fly (Musca domestica) |
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hoverfly (Chrysotoxum fasciolatum) |
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hoverfly (Chrysotoxum laterale) |
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lagomorph bot fly (Cuterebra buccata) |
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large crane fly (Angarotipula illustris) |
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large crane fly (Platytipula ultima) |
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large crane fly (Tipula dorsimacula) |
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large crane fly (Yamatotipula caloptera) |
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large crane fly (Yamatotipula furca) |
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lesser bulb fly (Eumerus funeralis) |
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long hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta) |
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long-horned yellowjacket fly (Sphecomyia vittata) |
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long-nosed swamp fly (Eurimyia stipata) |
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long-spined pufftail (Sphegina petiolata) |
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marginal horse fly (Tabanus marginalis) |
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marsh crane fly (Tipula oleracea) |
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marsh greenbottle fly (Lucilia silvarum) |
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midwestern mimic (Mallota illinoensis) |
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narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris) |
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narrow-banded meadow fly (Chrysotoxum derivatum) |
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narrow-banded pond fly (Sericomyia militaris) |
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non-biting midge (Chironomus atroviridis) |
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non-biting midge (Chironomus riparius) |
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Nova Scotia horse fly (Tabanus novaescotiae) |
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oak apple gall wasps (Amphibolips spp.) |
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oblique-banded pond fly (Sericomyia chrysotoxoides) |
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onion bulb fly (Eumerus strigatus) |
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orange-hipped leafwalker (Chalcosyrphus vecors) |
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orange-spined drone fly (Eristalis interrupta) |
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orange-spotted drone fly (Eristalis anthophorina) |
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ornate snipe fly (Chrysopilus ornatus) |
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picture-winged fly (Tritoxa incurva) |
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polished leafwalker (Xylota ejuncida) |
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pond olive (Cloeon dipterum) |
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punctate meadow fly (Chrysotoxum radiosum) |
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rabbit bot fly (Cuterebra buccata) |
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Reinwardt’s horse fly (Tabanus reinwardtii) |
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rodent bot fly (Cuterebra grisea) |
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rodent bot fly (Cuterebra sterilator) |
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sage horse fly (Tabanus sagax) |
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scaled pegleg (Myolepta strigilata) |
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scaly bee fly (Lepidophora lepidocera) |
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short-haired leafwalker (Chalcosyrphus piger) |
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short-spined leafwalker (Xylota tuberculata) |
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short-tailed aphideater (Eupeodes pomus) |
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signal fly (Rivellia cognata) |
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signal fly (Rivellia coquilletti) |
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signal fly (Rivellia flavimana) |
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signal fly (Rivellia melliginis) |
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signal fly (Rivellia metallica) |
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signal fly (Rivellia munda) |
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signal fly (Rivellia pallida) |
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signal fly (Rivellia steyskali) |
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signal fly (Rivellia variabilis) |
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signal fly (Rivellia viridulans) |
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signal fly (Rivellia winifredae) |
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similar horse fly (Tabanus similis) |
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snow fly (Chionea valga) |
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soldier fly (Hedriodiscus binotatus) |
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soldier fly (Stratiomys badia) |
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soldier fly (Stratiomys bruneri) |
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soldier fly (Stratiomys meigenii) |
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soldier fly (Stratiomys normula) |
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soldier fly (Stratiomys unilimbata) |
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soybean nodule fly (Rivellia quadrifasciata) |
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spot-headed aphideater (Eupeodes neoperplexus) |
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spotted wood fly (Somula decora) |
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squirrel bot fly (Cuterebra emasculator) |
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striped horse fly (Tabanus lineola) |
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stygian horse fly (Tabanus stygius) |
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sumac gall pithead (Pipiza puella) |
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sunflower bullet gall midge (Pilodiplosis helianthibulla) |
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tachinid fly (Compsilura concinnata) |
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tachinid fly (Cylindromyia argentia) |
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tachinid fly (Cylindromyia carolinae) |
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tachinid fly (Cylindromyia euchenor) |
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thick-headed fly (Dalmannia nigriceps) |
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thick-headed fly (Physocephala furcillata) |
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thick-headed fly (Physocephala marginata) |
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thick-headed fly (Physocephala texana) |
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thick-headed fly (Physoconops brachyrhynchus) |
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thistle stem gall fly (Urophora cardui) |
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three-spotted horse fly (Tabanus trimaculatus) |
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two-lined swamp fly (Lejops bilinearis) |
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two-spotted leafwalker (Xylota angustiventris) |
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unadorned bog fly (Parhelophilus obsoletus) |
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variable aphideater (Eupeodes latifasciatus) |
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walnut husk maggot fly (Rhagoletis suavis) |
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wasp-like falsehorn (Temnostoma alternans) |
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wavy mucksucker (Orthonevra nitida) |
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| white-haired pithead (Pipiza femoralis) | ||||||
white snakeroot leaf miner (Liriomyza eupatoriella) |
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Williston’s wasp fly (Sphiximorpha willistoni) |
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willow cabbagegall midge (Rabdophaga salicisbrassicoides) |
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willow catkin fly (Egle atomaria) |
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willow catkin fly (Egle longipalpis) |
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willow rosette gall midge (Rabdophaga salicisbrassicoides) |
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Winnebago lake fly (Chironomus plumosus) |
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winter crane fly (Trichocera spp.) |
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wood nettle gall midge (Dasineura investita) |
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wood soldier fly (Xylomya americana) |
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wood soldier fly (Xylomya aterrima) |
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wood soldier fly (Xylomya tenthredinoides) |
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yellow-faced swiftwing (Volucella facialis) |
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yellow-haired falsehorn (Temnostoma balyras) |
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yellow-spotted pond fly (Sericomyia transversa) |
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yellow-spotted sapeater (Brachyopa vacua) |
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yellowjacket hover fly (Milesia virginiensis) |
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_01.jpg "bee-like robber fly (Laphria index)")
_01.jpg "bee-like robber fly (Laphria sp.)")
_01.jpg "bumble bee mimic robber fly (Laphria posticata)")
_01.jpg "bumble bee mimic robber fly (Laphria sacrator)")
_01.jpg "bumble bee mimic robber fly (Laphria thoracica)")
_01.jpg "dance fly (Rhamphomyia sp.)")
_01.jpg "heleomyzid fly (Suillia quinquepunctata)")
_01.jpg "hoverfly (Chrysotoxum sp.)")
_01.jpg "hoverfly (Xylota sp.)")
_01.jpg "lesser bulb fly (Eumerus sp.)")
_01.jpg "lesser dung fly (Sphaeroceridae)")
_04.jpg "midge (Axarus festivus)")
_03.jpg "rodent bot fly (Cuterebra sp.)")
_02.jpg "soldier fly (Stratiomys adelpha or discalis)")
_01.jpg "tachinid fly (Cylindromyia interrupta)")
_02.jpg "thick-headed fly (Physoconops obscuripennis)")
_01.jpg "willow catkin fly (Egle sp.)")
_03.jpg "wood soldier fly (Xylomya terminalis)")
_05.jpg "woolly-tailed marsh fly")
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Capitalization of Common Names
Insect scientific names are governed by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Vernacular (common) names are not. In an attempt to “assure the uniformity of (common) names of common insects” the Entomological Society of America (ESA) published Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms. ESA has no rule or guideline that addresses capitalization of common names. However, the database of common names published by ESA does not capitalize common names. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) also uses uncapitalized common names. Most other sources, including ITIS, BAMONA, Odonata Central, and the Peterson Field Guides, capitalize common insect names. MinnesotaSeasons.com will adhere to the convention followed by ESA and NCBI.
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