Cordilura varipes
This record describes Cordilura varipes (species). Recorded family: Scathophagidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinctive black and yellow patterned legs, and wing with darkened tip and dm-cu crossvein. Thoracic bristles reduced. Postocellar bristles absent. C. deceptiva is almost identical, but possesses small postocellar bristles (Neff & Wallace 1969)
Wikipedia reference for Cordilura varipes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordilura_varipes.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Muscoidea
- Family
- Scathophagidae (Dung Flies)
- Subfamily
- Scathophaginae
- Genus
- Cordilura
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: a predator of the biting midge Culicoides variipennis (Ceratopogonidae). Larvae in stems of Carex spp. (Neff & Wallace 1969)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cordilura varipes (Walker 1849)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cordilura varipes. 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 Cordilura varipes (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by v belov , Chris Angell
Frequently Asked Questions About Cordilura varipes
What is Cordilura varipes?
Cordilura varipes is a species in the family Scathophagidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Cordilura varipes?
Distinctive black and yellow patterned legs, and wing with darkened tip and dm-cu crossvein. Thoracic bristles reduced. Postocellar bristles absent. C. deceptiva is almost identical, but possesses small postocellar bristles (Neff & Wallace 1969)
What does Cordilura varipes eat?
The diet of the Cordilura varipes includes a predator of the biting midge Culicoides variipennis (Ceratopogonidae). Larvae in stems of Carex spp. (Neff & Wallace 1969).