Family Milichiidae

Classification · Numbers · Size · Identification · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Fly, on cactus, associated with cochineal

ID for Fly with Silver Abdomen in California?

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon (Acalyptratae)

Family Milichiidae

Numbers

Nearctica lists 43 species.

Size

1-5 mm.

Identification

Small, usually black or silvery.

Food

Some are commensals of predatory insects, riding on them and feeding on exudates of the victims.

Life Cycle

Larvae generally live in decaying organic material.

Remarks

Sometimes fairly common in open areas.

Milichiid Flies often attend predators with Stink Bug prey.

Print References

Borror and DeLong (1)

Internet References

Milichiidae Online

Works Cited

1.	Borror and DeLong's Introduction to the Study of Insects By Norman F. Johnson, Charles A. Triplehorn

Contributed by Lynette Schimming on 6 July, 2005 - 6:35am
Additional contributions by cotinis, Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 5 June, 2009 - 9:08am

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