Little Hanging Thief
Diogmites misellus
This record describes Diogmites misellus (species). Recorded family: Asilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Smallest Diogmites . Central stripe on top of thorax shades to red towards front
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry, open areas
Geographic Range
e. US (MA-FL to KS-TX)
Seasonal Activity
Jul-Sep in NC
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Feeds on Diptera and on ants, often by picking off of grass stems.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Diogmites misellus Loew 1866 Little Hanging Thief: https://www.robberfliesoftheworld.com/NA_CommonNames.php
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Diogmites misellus. 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 Little Hanging Thief (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by v belov , Chris Cohen
Frequently Asked Questions About Little Hanging Thief
What is Little Hanging Thief?
Little Hanging Thief (Diogmites misellus) is a species in the family Asilidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Little Hanging Thief?
Body 16-23 mm, average 20 mm
How do you identify Little Hanging Thief?
Smallest Diogmites . Central stripe on top of thorax shades to red towards front
Where is Little Hanging Thief found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry, open areas |
| Range | e. US (MA-FL to KS-TX) |
What does Little Hanging Thief eat?
The diet of the Little Hanging Thief includes Feeds on Diptera and on ants, often by picking off of grass stems..
When is Little Hanging Thief active?
Little Hanging Thief: seasonal activity - Jul-Sep in NC.