Explanation of Names
ANTHOMYIIDAE: from the Greek "anthos" (flower) + "myia" (a fly) - a literal translation derived from the adults' habit of feeding on nectar and pollen, but not generally applied to this group because another family (Syrphidae) is commonly called Flower Flies.
Numbers
642 species in 39 genera in North America (
nearctica.com)
1,100 species in about 50 genera worldwide (
Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
Identification
Small to medium-sized flies, usually yellow, brown, gray or blackish; well-developed calypter at base of each wing; resemble muscid flies but more slender; wings sometimes clouded with gray or brown; legs yellowish to black. (
Virtual Exhibit on Canada's Biodiversity)
R5 cell parallel-sided, 2A reaches margin of wing, at least as a fold; hypopleura without bristles, often only one sternopleural bristle.
Wing venation.
Range
throughout North America and the world
Habitat
adults often on flowers in moist or wooded habitats; also common in fields
Food
adults feed on nectar and pollen
most larvae are phytophagous, feeding on roots (as their common name suggests), but some are saprophagous, and a few are parasites of grasshoppers, hymenoptera, reptiles, and burrowing mammals
Remarks
Adults are important plant pollinators.
Internet References
family info and pinned adult image of Spilogaster signia (Virtual Exhibit on Canada's Biodiversity)
family info (Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
info & pinned adult images (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
Contributed by
Beatriz Moisset on 19 October, 2004 - 8:37pm
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeodLast updated 27 January, 2008 - 4:11pm
