Bibio vestitus
This record describes Bibio vestitus (species). Recorded family: Bibionidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Leg color can vary from black to almost entirely red. Males normally have dark femora, females red femora. Mostly red-legged females are similar to B. xanthopus , which usually has shorter spurs. See discussion here: Females with only femora red can be confused with B. femoratus , which has all coxae and trochanters black (red in vestitus ).
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
" Bibio vestitus is a boreomontane species occurring at far northern latitudes and usually in montane regions at more southern latitudes. The flight period of Arizona populations is June, which corresponds to the June through July flight period of populations elsewhere."
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Bibio vestitus. 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 vestitus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by edanko