Suborder Brachycera (Long-arista Flies)
The suborder Brachycera represents a major division of the Diptera containing approximately 120 families and a great diversity of species, morphological innovations, and life history strategies.
The name "Brachycera" or "shortened horn" refers to their shortened antennae—a reduced antenna with fewer than 8 antennal flagellomeres is the easiest to recognise of a list of defining features:
- reduction of antennal flagellomeres to 8 or fewer
- posterior portions of larval head capsule elongated into prothorax
- maxillary palpus with 2 segments or fewer
- wing veins CuA2 and A1 with apices approximate, forming a nearly closed cell Cup
- larval mandible subdivided into distinct two parts
- premandibles lost from ventral surface of labrum
- epandrium and hypandrium of male genitalia separated.
Brachyceran flies exhibit a broad array of feeding strategies, life histories and behavioral patterns. Many of the orthorrhaphous lineages are scavengers, predators or parasitoids as larvae. Multiple major radiations of species diversity, feeding habits and habitat specialization can be found in the Cyclorrhapha or "higher" flies.
Africa Wild Insect Book Flies (Diptera)
Moderator: Klipspringer
Diptera, Brachycera, Stratiomyomorpha, Stratiomyidae
Family (Soldier Flies)
Stratiomyidae, the soldier flies, are a diverse family of orthorrhaphous Brachycera. Though they exhibit great morphological variation, the family is distinct from other flies due to their unique wing venation and larval habitus. Larval habitats are varied; several are aquatic filter feeders, others live in madicolous habitats; on stones with a thin film of running water; some of the aquatic larvae can tolerate high levels of salinity or high temperature; others are terrestrial and saprophagous or sarcophagous, or live under bark, or in ant nests. The adults are most often collected on foliage in damp forests, near bodies of water, or near boggy areas (James 1981). Many genera, particularly in the Stratiomyinae and Nemotelinae, visit flowers.
There are 375 extant genera of Stratiomyidae, arranged in 12 subfamilies. Pachygastrinae has the most genera, but many of these are monotypic. Stratiomyinae has the greatest number of described species as it includes the speciose genera Odontomyia and Stratiomys.
Characteristics
The monophyly of Stratiomyidae is well supported as the family is morphologically distinctive.
- Female cerci separated by abdominal tergite 10
- Radial veins placed far anteriorly, near costal margin of wing
- 3 segmented antennae with the terminal segment annulated
- Ocelli present; lower orbital bristles absent.
- post-vertical orbital bristles absent
- vibrissae absent
- mouthparts - proboscis short, not piercing, maxillary palps 1 or 2 segmented
- wings with a small discal cell or discal cell absent, nosub-apical cell, closed anal cell, costa not extending around the entire wing, sub-costa reaching the costa independently of vein 1, or joining vein 1 close to where it joins the costa
- the leading edge veins often markedly stronger than the rest; vein 6 present and reaching the wing margin; vein 7 present not reaching
- Tibiae without spurs
Adults can range in size from 3 to 30 mm. The number of scutellar spines, number and morphology of antennal flagellomere segments, and presence or absence of certain wing veins are often used to distinguish subfamilies.
They are diverse in size and shape, though they commonly are partly or wholly metallic green, or somewhat wasplike mimics, marked with black and yellow or green and sometimes metallic. They are often rather inactive flies which typically rest with their wings placed one above the other over the abdomen.
Stratiomyidae, the soldier flies, are a diverse family of orthorrhaphous Brachycera. Though they exhibit great morphological variation, the family is distinct from other flies due to their unique wing venation and larval habitus. Larval habitats are varied; several are aquatic filter feeders, others live in madicolous habitats; on stones with a thin film of running water; some of the aquatic larvae can tolerate high levels of salinity or high temperature; others are terrestrial and saprophagous or sarcophagous, or live under bark, or in ant nests. The adults are most often collected on foliage in damp forests, near bodies of water, or near boggy areas (James 1981). Many genera, particularly in the Stratiomyinae and Nemotelinae, visit flowers.
There are 375 extant genera of Stratiomyidae, arranged in 12 subfamilies. Pachygastrinae has the most genera, but many of these are monotypic. Stratiomyinae has the greatest number of described species as it includes the speciose genera Odontomyia and Stratiomys.
Characteristics
The monophyly of Stratiomyidae is well supported as the family is morphologically distinctive.
- Female cerci separated by abdominal tergite 10
- Radial veins placed far anteriorly, near costal margin of wing
- 3 segmented antennae with the terminal segment annulated
- Ocelli present; lower orbital bristles absent.
- post-vertical orbital bristles absent
- vibrissae absent
- mouthparts - proboscis short, not piercing, maxillary palps 1 or 2 segmented
- wings with a small discal cell or discal cell absent, nosub-apical cell, closed anal cell, costa not extending around the entire wing, sub-costa reaching the costa independently of vein 1, or joining vein 1 close to where it joins the costa
- the leading edge veins often markedly stronger than the rest; vein 6 present and reaching the wing margin; vein 7 present not reaching
- Tibiae without spurs
Adults can range in size from 3 to 30 mm. The number of scutellar spines, number and morphology of antennal flagellomere segments, and presence or absence of certain wing veins are often used to distinguish subfamilies.
They are diverse in size and shape, though they commonly are partly or wholly metallic green, or somewhat wasplike mimics, marked with black and yellow or green and sometimes metallic. They are often rather inactive flies which typically rest with their wings placed one above the other over the abdomen.
Diptera, Stratiomyidae, Hermetiinae
Subfamily Hermetiinae
Hermetiine soldier flies are often large and colorful. They have a concave posterior surface of the head and are distinguished by the elongate and thickened eighth antennal flagellomere and absence of scutellar spines.
Hermetiinae is largely defined by the speciose genus Hermetia. Hermetia is distinguished by the laterally flattened eighth antennal flagellomere.
Of the five known genera of this subfamily three are restricted to the Neotropical Region and one is Australasian. The remaining genus Hermetia is by far the most speciose with 76 species, and more widely distributed in the Nearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Australasian and Oriental Regions. 4 species are found in the Afrotropical region.
Hermetiine soldier flies are often large and colorful. They have a concave posterior surface of the head and are distinguished by the elongate and thickened eighth antennal flagellomere and absence of scutellar spines.
Hermetiinae is largely defined by the speciose genus Hermetia. Hermetia is distinguished by the laterally flattened eighth antennal flagellomere.
Of the five known genera of this subfamily three are restricted to the Neotropical Region and one is Australasian. The remaining genus Hermetia is by far the most speciose with 76 species, and more widely distributed in the Nearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Australasian and Oriental Regions. 4 species are found in the Afrotropical region.
Africa Wild Insect Book Flies (Diptera)
Black Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens
Family: Stratiomyidae. Subfamily: Hermetiinae
© BluTuna
Garden in Johannesburg
Description
Large, robust, elongate wasp-mimic with smoky wings. Legs banded in white and black. Body with a peculiar clear panel at junction of abdomen and thorax. Antennae are elongated, projecting forward from the head, which is tapered and does not have an arista (sensory organ of touch).
Distribution
Hermetia illucens, originating likely from the tropics and subtropics of both Americas (very likely South America) became widespread all over the world (excluding colder areas), thus reaching also the Nearctic, Palaearctic, Oriental, Australasian and Afrotropical Regions where it was largely introduced by man’s activities.
Links:
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... s/download
Family: Stratiomyidae. Subfamily: Hermetiinae
© BluTunaGarden in Johannesburg
Description
Large, robust, elongate wasp-mimic with smoky wings. Legs banded in white and black. Body with a peculiar clear panel at junction of abdomen and thorax. Antennae are elongated, projecting forward from the head, which is tapered and does not have an arista (sensory organ of touch).
Distribution
Hermetia illucens, originating likely from the tropics and subtropics of both Americas (very likely South America) became widespread all over the world (excluding colder areas), thus reaching also the Nearctic, Palaearctic, Oriental, Australasian and Afrotropical Regions where it was largely introduced by man’s activities.
Links:
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... s/download
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Diptera, Stratiomyidae, Stratiomyinae
Subfamily Stratiomyinae
This is the most species rich subfamily of soldier flies. Stratiomyinae are generally large, brightly colored flies that often visit flowers. Many species mimic aculeate Hymenoptera.
Oxycerini is distinguished by the 6 antennal flagellomeres, m-cu absent, M veins weakened distally. The m-cu crossvein is present in Stratiomyini and Prosopochrysini. The A1 vein is sinuous in Prosopochrysini but straight in Stratiomyini. Prosopochrysine flies generally have slender, unpatterned abdomens and 5 antennal flagellomeres while flies in the tribe Stratiomyini often have brightly patterned abdomens which are at least three-fourths as broad as long and 5 or 6 antennal flagellomeres.
This is the most species rich subfamily of soldier flies. Stratiomyinae are generally large, brightly colored flies that often visit flowers. Many species mimic aculeate Hymenoptera.
Oxycerini is distinguished by the 6 antennal flagellomeres, m-cu absent, M veins weakened distally. The m-cu crossvein is present in Stratiomyini and Prosopochrysini. The A1 vein is sinuous in Prosopochrysini but straight in Stratiomyini. Prosopochrysine flies generally have slender, unpatterned abdomens and 5 antennal flagellomeres while flies in the tribe Stratiomyini often have brightly patterned abdomens which are at least three-fourths as broad as long and 5 or 6 antennal flagellomeres.
Africa Wild Insect Book Flies (Diptera)
Soldier Fly Odontomyia sp.
Family Stratiomyidae. Subfamily Stratiomyinae. Tribe Stratiomyini
© BluTuna
Garden in Johannesburg
Description
Odontomyia flies have a spined scutellum, antennae have six flagellomeres with the last two flagellomeres forming a stylus. Broad abdomen often white or yellow with black patterning. Wing membrane very transparent.
Biology
The larvae live in water.
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... s/download
Family Stratiomyidae. Subfamily Stratiomyinae. Tribe Stratiomyini
© BluTunaGarden in Johannesburg
Description
Odontomyia flies have a spined scutellum, antennae have six flagellomeres with the last two flagellomeres forming a stylus. Broad abdomen often white or yellow with black patterning. Wing membrane very transparent.
Biology
The larvae live in water.
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... s/download
Last edited by Klipspringer on Mon May 11, 2020 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Possibly Oplodontha sp.
Reason: Possibly Oplodontha sp.
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Diptera, Brachycera, Asiloidae, Asilidae
Family Asilidae (Robber Flies)
Small (3 mm) to very large (over 50 mm) flies, averaging 9-15 mm in length, long and slender to short, robust, and bee-like. Generally bristly with the top of the hairy head hollowed into a deep groove.
All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista.
The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal through the proboscis. Many species have long, tapering abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumblebee mimics.
The name "robber flies" reflects their notoriously aggressive predatory habits; they feed mainly or exclusively on other insects and as a rule they wait in ambush and catch their prey in flight. Prey is subdued by the powerful bristly legs.Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, ants, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.
The Asilidae are cosmopolitan, with over 7000 described species. The robber flies are an abundant and diverse family (Asilidae) known for their predatory behavior. Asilidae diversity can be attributed to their broad distribution, as most species tend to occupy a selective niche.
Links:
https://asiloidflies.si.edu/sites/defau ... _2017b.pdf
Small (3 mm) to very large (over 50 mm) flies, averaging 9-15 mm in length, long and slender to short, robust, and bee-like. Generally bristly with the top of the hairy head hollowed into a deep groove.
All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista.
The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal through the proboscis. Many species have long, tapering abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumblebee mimics.
The name "robber flies" reflects their notoriously aggressive predatory habits; they feed mainly or exclusively on other insects and as a rule they wait in ambush and catch their prey in flight. Prey is subdued by the powerful bristly legs.Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, ants, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.
The Asilidae are cosmopolitan, with over 7000 described species. The robber flies are an abundant and diverse family (Asilidae) known for their predatory behavior. Asilidae diversity can be attributed to their broad distribution, as most species tend to occupy a selective niche.
Links:
https://asiloidflies.si.edu/sites/defau ... _2017b.pdf
Africa Wild Insect Book Flies Photos & Descriptions
Carpenter Bee Robber Fly Hyperechia sp.
Family: Asilidae
© BluTuna
© BluTuna
Hartebeespoort Dam area, North West Province
Description
These robberflies are large with a broad abdomen, with long and dense hairs on the femora, tibiae and basal tarsus segments of the leg. The head is wide. The wing is broad at the base and tapered at the tip. The body is 22 to 35 mm long. The palps ofhave the second segment large, thin and leaflike with bristles on the top. The antennae have a stout basal segment that is longer than the next which is knob-like at the distal end. The third antennal segment is elongated and slender widening towards the middle and becoming spindle shaped. The frons is short and shiny.
Habitat
Carpenter bee logs.
Biology
Rests and oviposits on tree trunks. Adult flies are mimics of carpenter bees and prey on various Hymenoptera. Adults hunt from dead trunks bored by carpenter bees. They feed on carpenter bees and other bees and wasps. The carpenter bee robber fly mimics the color pattern, general shape and overall hairiness of its prey so it can fly in and capture it. Once the carpenter bee robber fly has a hold of its prey it then proceeds to use its proboscis to inject its enzyme-rich saliva to liquidfy the insides of the bee before sucking the digested bits of bee right back out again via the same proboscis.
Larvae bore and live in wood tunnels in association with carpenter bee larvae, on which they are reported to feed.
Species recorded from South Africa:
Hyperechia albifasciata
Hyperechia nigripennis
Hyperechia consimilis
The genus is in need of revision. Identification to species level is not possible.
Links:
https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520 ... 28789_3712
https://zenodo.org/record/437797/files/ ... download=1
http://www.geller-grimm.de/londt/afro.pdf
https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Deutsche-Ent ... 5-0071.pdf
Family: Asilidae
© BluTuna © BluTunaHartebeespoort Dam area, North West Province
Description
These robberflies are large with a broad abdomen, with long and dense hairs on the femora, tibiae and basal tarsus segments of the leg. The head is wide. The wing is broad at the base and tapered at the tip. The body is 22 to 35 mm long. The palps ofhave the second segment large, thin and leaflike with bristles on the top. The antennae have a stout basal segment that is longer than the next which is knob-like at the distal end. The third antennal segment is elongated and slender widening towards the middle and becoming spindle shaped. The frons is short and shiny.
Habitat
Carpenter bee logs.
Biology
Rests and oviposits on tree trunks. Adult flies are mimics of carpenter bees and prey on various Hymenoptera. Adults hunt from dead trunks bored by carpenter bees. They feed on carpenter bees and other bees and wasps. The carpenter bee robber fly mimics the color pattern, general shape and overall hairiness of its prey so it can fly in and capture it. Once the carpenter bee robber fly has a hold of its prey it then proceeds to use its proboscis to inject its enzyme-rich saliva to liquidfy the insides of the bee before sucking the digested bits of bee right back out again via the same proboscis.
Larvae bore and live in wood tunnels in association with carpenter bee larvae, on which they are reported to feed.
Species recorded from South Africa:
Hyperechia albifasciata
Hyperechia nigripennis
Hyperechia consimilis
The genus is in need of revision. Identification to species level is not possible.
Links:
https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520 ... 28789_3712
https://zenodo.org/record/437797/files/ ... download=1
http://www.geller-grimm.de/londt/afro.pdf
https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Deutsche-Ent ... 5-0071.pdf
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Africa Wild Insect Book Flies Photos & Descriptions
Robber Fly Possibly Neolophonotus sp.
Family Asilidae
At 251 species (revised by Londt), Neolophonotus is currently the most species rich Asilid genus in the world, though future research is likely to result in its subdivision.
Nov. Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
The genus Neolophonotus is restricted to the Afrotropical region.
Family Asilidae
At 251 species (revised by Londt), Neolophonotus is currently the most species rich Asilid genus in the world, though future research is likely to result in its subdivision.
Nov. Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
The genus Neolophonotus is restricted to the Afrotropical region.
Africa Wild Insect Book Flies Photos & Descriptions
Robber Fly Synolcus dubius
Family: Asilidae
© BluTuna
Garden in Johannesburg
Links:
https://bioone.org/journals/african-inv ... .0206.full
Family: Asilidae
© BluTunaGarden in Johannesburg
Links:
https://bioone.org/journals/african-inv ... .0206.full