Family Chamaemyiidae

Classification · Other Common Names · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Food · Remarks · Works Cited

Fly on cactus, associated with Cochineal - Leucopis bellula

Small gray acalyptrate fly with scutum stripes - Leucopis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Acalyptratae")

Superfamily Lauxanioidea

Family Chamaemyiidae

Other Common Names

Silver Flies, Aphid Flies

Explanation of Names

Chamaemyiidae Hendel 1910

Numbers

100-150 nearctic spp. in 8 genera of 3 subfamilies(1), ~350 spp. in 30 genera worldwide(2)

Identification

Usually silvery gray with black spots, but some are tiny, shiny black flies(3)

Food

Larvae consume aphids, scales

Remarks

Some species have been used to control aphid and scale pests

Works Cited

1.	Manual of Nearctic Diptera Volume 2 Varies for each chapter; edited by J.F. McAlpine, B.V. Petersen, G.E. Shewell, H.J. Teskey, J.R. Vockeroth, D.M. Wood. 1987. Research Branch Agriculture Canada.

2.	USDA Diptera Site (now closed)

3.	Insects: Their Natural History And Diversity: With a Photographic Guide to Insects of Eastern North America Stephen A. Marshall. 2006. Firefly Books Ltd.

Contributed by tom murray on 23 July, 2005 - 6:06pm
Additional contributions by Graham M, v belov
Last updated 25 December, 2014 - 8:05pm

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