Genus Dictya

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Habitat · Food · Works Cited

Dictya? swept from Equisetum hyemale stems - Dictya - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Acalyptratae")

Superfamily Sciomyzoidea

Family Sciomyzidae (Marsh Flies, Snail-killing Flies)

Tribe Tetanocerini

Genus Dictya

Explanation of Names

Dictya Meigen 1803

Numbers

~30 spp. in our area(1)

Size

5-8 mm

Identification

Body usually yellow to brownish, with patterned wings. Antennae usually longer than in most flies, and legs elongated.

White face with black dot is diagnostic --Bill Murphy's comment

Habitat

Ponds, streams, marshes, and damp woods.

Food

Larva usually feed on snails, slugs, and snail eggs.

Works Cited

1.	Nearctic Diptera (Discover Life's IDnature guide)

Contributed by tom murray on 31 October, 2005 - 2:20pm
Additional contributions by Robin McLeod, Vox Sciurorum, v belov
Last updated 4 December, 2014 - 7:55am

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