Cheilosia capillata
This record describes Cheilosia capillata (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Per Bill Dean, Eyes bare; face bare; no scutellar bristles; pile on frons pale; tibiae mostly orange; hairs on thoracic dorsum pale yellow and more white on pleurae; wing veins very orange at base.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
IL‒ON‒GA
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cheilosia capillata (Loew 1863)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cheilosia capillata. 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 Cheilosia capillata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheilosia capillata
What is Cheilosia capillata?
Cheilosia capillata is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Cheilosia capillata?
Per Bill Dean, Eyes bare; face bare; no scutellar bristles; pile on frons pale; tibiae mostly orange; hairs on thoracic dorsum pale yellow and more white on pleurae; wing veins very orange at base.
Where is Cheilosia capillata found?
Range: IL‒ON‒GA