Red-backed Tiger Fly
Ceraturgus elizabethae
This record describes Ceraturgus elizabethae (species). Recorded family: Asilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very dark, with elongate antennae, perhaps a mimic of Tachytes
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
small openings in deciduous forests; Barnes reports that habitat is upland woods, away from bodies of water. However, BG record of Jul 2009 was in alluvial woodlands bordering a river.
Geographic Range
se. US (PA-GA to IN-MO-OK-TX)
Seasonal Activity
typically Jun-Jul, Apr-May in southernmost parts of range
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ceraturgus elizabethae Brimley 1924 Red-backed Tiger Fly: https://www.robberfliesoftheworld.com/NA_CommonNames.php
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Ceraturgus elizabethae. 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 Red-backed Tiger Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by cotinis , v belov , Chris Cohen
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-backed Tiger Fly
What is Red-backed Tiger Fly?
Red-backed Tiger Fly (Ceraturgus elizabethae) is a species in the family Asilidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Red-backed Tiger Fly?
♂ 14-19 mm, ♀ 17-24 mm
How do you identify Red-backed Tiger Fly?
Very dark, with elongate antennae, perhaps a mimic of Tachytes
Where is Red-backed Tiger Fly found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | small openings in deciduous forests; Barnes reports that habitat is upland woods, away from bodies of water. However, BG record of Jul 2009 was in alluvial woodlands bordering a river. |
| Range | se. US (PA-GA to IN-MO-OK-TX) |
When is Red-backed Tiger Fly active?
Red-backed Tiger Fly: seasonal activity - typically Jun-Jul, Apr-May in southernmost parts of range.