Euaresta bellula
This record describes Euaresta bellula (species). Recorded family: Tephritidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
ground color of thorax dark brown or gray; wing with two marginal hyaline spots in cell r1; if a third, apical spot is present, it is small and does not cross vein R2+3 reduces seed and/or pollen production by its host plants, some of which are weeds and/or cause allergies
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
Geographic Range
sw US (s.CA to ID‒UT‒c.TX) ‒ map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on flowers and seeds of ragweed ( Ambrosia spp.) and Dicoria canescens
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Euaresta bellula Snow 1894
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Euaresta bellula. 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 bellula (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Euaresta bellula
What is Euaresta bellula?
Euaresta bellula is a species in the family Tephritidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Euaresta bellula?
ground color of thorax dark brown or gray; wing with two marginal hyaline spots in cell r1; if a third, apical spot is present, it is small and does not cross vein R2+3
Where is Euaresta bellula found?
Range: sw US (s.CA to ID‒UT‒c.TX) ‒ map
What does Euaresta bellula eat?
The diet of the Euaresta bellula includes larvae feed on flowers and seeds of ragweed ( Ambrosia spp.) and Dicoria canescens.