Bradysia giraudii
This record describes Bradysia giraudii (species). Recorded family: Sciaridae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
From Kai Heller (11/8/2018): Apparently this is a complex of at least three different species, which [can] be distinguished by DNA barcoding. One of them is distributed in North America and Europe, the others are currently known only from either Germany [or] Canada. These are the corresponding BINs: BOLD:ACN8091, BOLD:ACX6074 and BOLD:ADF8311 Bradysia giraudii is known as a common inquiline in stems of various herbaceous plants. I have material in my collection, which was bred from Cirsium . It seems to be not host specific. But genetic analysis might show something else.
Classification
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Bradysia giraudii. 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 Bradysia giraudii (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman