Huron Shore Bee Fly
Dipalta banksi
This record describes Dipalta banksi (species). Recorded family: Bombyliidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
brown body, black spots on dorsal midline of abdomen, wings with black patches and spots
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Asiloidea
- Family
- Bombyliidae (Bee Flies)
- Subfamily
- Anthracinae
- Tribe
- Villini
- Genus
- Dipalta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
sand dunes with or without vegetation
Geographic Range
Virginia, Ohio, southern Ontario
Seasonal Activity
presumably summer & fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae are parasitoids of larval antlions
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Dipalta banksi. 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 Huron Shore Bee Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod
Frequently Asked Questions About Huron Shore Bee Fly
What is Huron Shore Bee Fly?
Huron Shore Bee Fly (Dipalta banksi) is a species in the family Bombyliidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Huron Shore Bee Fly?
8-10 mm
How do you identify Huron Shore Bee Fly?
brown body, black spots on dorsal midline of abdomen, wings with black patches and spots
Where is Huron Shore Bee Fly found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | sand dunes with or without vegetation |
| Range | Virginia, Ohio, southern Ontario |
What does Huron Shore Bee Fly eat?
The diet of the Huron Shore Bee Fly includes larvae are parasitoids of larval antlions.
When is Huron Shore Bee Fly active?
Huron Shore Bee Fly: seasonal activity - presumably summer & fall.