Arizona Naturalists >>> Sonoran Desert Naturalist >>> Field Guide >>> Insects, Spiders, Centepedes and Scorpions >>> Flies, Gnats, and Mosquitoes

Sonoran Desert Diptera

One pair of wings (other flying insect groups have two pairs). In place of second pair of wings are a pair of halteres - a knobbed end rod - used to maintain balanced flight. Mouth parts are modified for lapping or piercing sucking. Astounding number of species. Just a pathetic few in guide so far ...

Eye Gnat Hippelates Very small shiny black or yellow flies that get into eyes of hikers and range cattle. Common esp. late spring. More info ...	Long-Legged Fly Condylostylus sp. Irridescent, small, green-blue flies that seem to dance upon sunny leaf surfaces. Common near moist environments. More info ...	House Fly Musca domestica Abundant fly around farm operations and human habitations. Sponging-lapping mouthparts. More info ...	Leaf Miner Fly Agromyzidae Minute black or black and yellowish flies that mine inside leaves or else in developing seeds. More info ...	Fruit Fly Euaresta sp. Small flies with patterned wings often seen flitting about on flower heads going to seed. More info ...
Vinegar Fly Drosophila melanogaster The common fruit fly that comes to fermenting fruit. Mostly near human trash heaps and irrigated orchards. More info ...	Signal Fly Senopterina sp. Small flies, less than 4mm, that are attracted to rotting fruit or fresh dung. More info ...

Robber Fly Efferia Active flies that alight on prominant points and sally out to catch smaller insects on the wing. Legs with stout tarsal claws at feet. Many kinds in the Sonoran Desert. More info ...	Robber Fly Saropogon mohawki Active flies that alight on prominant points and sally out to catch smaller insects on the wing. Legs with stout tarsal claws at feet. More info ...	Green Bottle Fly Lucilia sp. Irridescent green flies common around flowers, feces, and carrion. Attracted also to meat as say at a BBQ. Larvae in decomposing flesh. More info ...	Cactus Fly Copestylum mexicanum Large, shiny black fly with two-toned wings. Visits flowers for nectar in late summer and fall. Larva stage develops inside rotting cactus. More info ...	Bot Fly Cuterebra sp. Very large, mostly black flies most often seen at hilltops. Harmless as adults. Larvae parasitic within mammals. More info ...
Soldier Fly Hermetia illucens Large, jet-black fly, rather clumsy in flight. Attracted to moist, decomposing plant matterial. More info ...	Tachinid Fly Tachinidae Ordinary-looking flies that visit flowers or alight on vegetation. Parasitc as larvae in caterpillars and other insects. More info ...	Small Tachinid Siphona sp. A diminutive tachinid that was on the wing in December. Extended proboscis for taking flower nectar. More info ...
Bee Fly Thevenetimyia sp. With a long proboscis this fly is well equipped to sip nectar from flowers. In a double life it's a beetle parasite. More info ...	Bee-Fly Paravilla cinerea Bee-flies are active during sunny weather; they hover and land on the soil or else pay visit to flowers. Wings often with markings. Many, many kinds in Sonoran Desert, More info ...	Bee-Fly Villa sp. Hovers close to ground and alights often in sunny spot, sometimes on moist soil. More info ...	Paired Beeflies Bombyliinae A long slender proboscis for sipping nectar and hairy body. Sometimes two are joined. More info ...	Small Bee-Fly Geron sp. Very small hovering fly partial to flowers. Long mouthparts for taking nectar. More info ...
Crane Fly Tipula spp. Large slow-flying insects look like a giant mosquito with very long legs. Common to abundant in spring in the desert. More info ...	Stilt-legged Fly Micropezidae Small, delicate flies found in display on vegetation near damp spots. Look in Sonoran Desert riparian habitats. More info ...	Gall Midge Asphondylia spp. Minute, mosquito-like flies as adults. As larvae they live inside plant tissues and cause formation of various gall structures. Many kinds on a wide variety of plants. More info ...	Dark-winged Fungus Gnat Sciaridae Minute gnats that frequent areas of damp soil including potted plants, compost and margins of riparian streams. More info ...	Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti Small, aggressive, blood sucker that is often abundant in Sonoran Desert cities. Bites ankles especially. Black with white spots. More info ...

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