Bibio femoratus
This record describes Bibio femoratus (species). Recorded family: Bibionidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Shining black, dense yellow hair, red femora, front tibial spines nearly equal length, anterior veins dark brown, posterior veins light brown, R-M crossvein about equal to base of Rs. Females have dark wings, black along the leading edge if not entirely black.
Wikipedia reference for Bibio femoratus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibio_femoratus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Family
- Bibionidae (March Flies)
- Genus
- Bibio
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Most of North America, except Canadian arctic and Western USA.
Seasonal Activity
Spring
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Bibio femoratus. 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 Bibio femoratus (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Bibio femoratus
What is Bibio femoratus?
Bibio femoratus is a species in the family Bibionidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Bibio femoratus?
7-9 mm
How do you identify Bibio femoratus?
Shining black, dense yellow hair, red femora, front tibial spines nearly equal length, anterior veins dark brown, posterior veins light brown, R-M crossvein about equal to base of Rs. Females have dark wings, black along the leading edge if not entirely black.
Where is Bibio femoratus found?
Range: Most of North America, except Canadian arctic and Western USA.
When is Bibio femoratus active?
Bibio femoratus: seasonal activity - Spring.