Asphondylia helianthiflorae
This record describes Asphondylia helianthiflorae (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Bred from apparently unmodified flower heads of Helianthus strumosus (Felt 1908; also Felt 1958, Insects of Connecticut ). BugGuide photos show two other species of Helianthus . It is possible that these flies are in fact host species-specific and this is a species complex.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Cecidomyiinae
- Tribe
- Asphondyliini
- Genus
- Asphondylia (Bud gall midges)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Species name means "belonging to flowers of Helianthus ".
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Asphondylia helianthiflorae. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Asphondylia helianthiflorae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr