Drymeia flavinervis
This record describes Drymeia flavinervis (species). Recorded family: Muscidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Mostly shining black (male) to entirely shining black (female), with many bristles on hind tibia, black halteres, and yellow wings.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Northern Great Plains (including Prairies), hardly if at all overlapping in range with its mostly arctic and alpine congeners.
Seasonal Activity
Early summer
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Drymeia flavinervis. 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 Drymeia flavinervis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Drymeia flavinervis
What is Drymeia flavinervis?
Drymeia flavinervis is a species in the family Muscidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Drymeia flavinervis?
Mostly shining black (male) to entirely shining black (female), with many bristles on hind tibia, black halteres, and yellow wings.
Where is Drymeia flavinervis found?
Range: Northern Great Plains (including Prairies), hardly if at all overlapping in range with its mostly arctic and alpine congeners.
When is Drymeia flavinervis active?
Drymeia flavinervis: seasonal activity - Early summer.