Euaresta bella
This record describes Euaresta bella (species). Recorded family: Tephritidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
ground color of thorax brown; apex of cell r2+3 with 2 marginal hyaline spots
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Tephritoidea
- Family
- Tephritidae (Fruit Flies)
- Subfamily
- Tephritinae
- Tribe
- Tephritini
- Genus
- Euaresta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
fields, waste places, wherever the host plant grows
Geographic Range
mostly New England to the Dakotas - Map so. Canada to Mexico and the Bahamas
Seasonal Activity
adults June-Sept (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae) (common ragweed) is the only known host ( 3 )
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as larva in seeds of host plant; pupates in spring
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Euaresta bella (Loew, 1862)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Euaresta bella. 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 Euaresta bella (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Euaresta bella
What is Euaresta bella?
Euaresta bella is a species in the family Tephritidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Euaresta bella?
ground color of thorax brown; apex of cell r2+3 with 2 marginal hyaline spots
Where is Euaresta bella found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | fields, waste places, wherever the host plant grows |
| Range | mostly New England to the Dakotas - Map so. Canada to Mexico and the Bahamas |
What does Euaresta bella eat?
The diet of the Euaresta bella includes Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asteraceae) (common ragweed) is the only known host ( 3 ).
When is Euaresta bella active?
Euaresta bella: seasonal activity - adults June-Sept (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Euaresta bella?
one generation per year; overwinters as larva in seeds of host plant; pupates in spring