Chrysogaster antitheus
This record describes Chrysogaster antitheus (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Larvae aquatic, feeding among roots of emerging vegetation (Sommaggio 1999)
Geographic Range
East coast to Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico
Seasonal Activity
Apr‒Jun
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chrysogaster antitheus Walker 1849
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Chrysogaster antitheus. 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 Chrysogaster antitheus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by v belov , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Chrysogaster antitheus
How big is Chrysogaster antitheus?
6‒8 mm
Where is Chrysogaster antitheus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Larvae aquatic, feeding among roots of emerging vegetation (Sommaggio 1999) |
| Range | East coast to Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico |
When is Chrysogaster antitheus active?
Chrysogaster antitheus: seasonal activity - Apr‒Jun.