Bombyliomyia soror
This record describes Bombyliomyia soror (species). Recorded family: Tachinidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | From Curran's description of female Tachinalia hispida : Robust, the abdomen broader than the thorax and not much longer than wide. |
| Eyes | Eyes with long hair; parafacials haired; front rather narrow, with two pairs of orbitals; ocellars long, outer verticals absent; cheeks wide; face retreating, the oral margins produced; ridges bare; proboscis short; palpi slightly clavate; antennae reaching the lowest fifth of the face; arista bare. Acrosticals 2-3; dorsocentrals 3-3; posterior sublateral absent, posthumeral present; sternopleurals 2-1; prosternum bare; scutellum with many spinose bristles. Apical cell ending moderately before the wing-tip; third vein bristled basally. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen almost wholly covered with spinose bristles. |
| Head | Head with cinereous pollen, thorax thinly pollinose; scutellum reddish, abdomen castaneous. Length 10-11 mm. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)
- Subfamily
- Tachininae
- Tribe
- Ernestiini
- Genus
- Bombyliomyia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w. NA (BC to CA-NM & Mexico)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bombyliomyia soror (Williston 1886)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Bombyliomyia soror. 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 Bombyliomyia soror (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by kschnei
Frequently Asked Questions About Bombyliomyia soror
What is Bombyliomyia soror?
Bombyliomyia soror is a species in the family Tachinidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Bombyliomyia soror?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | From Curran's description of female Tachinalia hispida : Robust, the abdomen broader than the thorax and not much longer than wide. |
| Eyes | Eyes with long hair; parafacials haired; front rather narrow, with two pairs of orbitals; ocellars long, outer verticals absent; cheeks wide; face retreating, the oral margins produced; ridges bare; proboscis short; palpi slightly clavate; antennae reaching the lowest fifth of the face; arista bare. Acrosticals 2-3; dorsocentrals 3-3; posterior sublateral absent, posthumeral present; sternopleurals 2-1; prosternum bare; scutellum with many spinose bristles. Apical cell ending moderately before the wing-tip; third vein bristled basally. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen almost wholly covered with spinose bristles. |
| Head | Head with cinereous pollen, thorax thinly pollinose; scutellum reddish, abdomen castaneous. Length 10-11 mm. |
Where is Bombyliomyia soror found?
Range: w. NA (BC to CA-NM & Mexico)