Eustalomyia vittipes
This record describes Eustalomyia vittipes (species). Recorded family: Anthomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
The only species of Eustalomyia with partly yellow legs. Photos on diptera.info: 1 , 2 . This fly has twice been reared from material collected from the interior of rotten logs in the winter season at Harrisburg, Pa. The insect was in the pupal stage and upon both occasions was in close proximity to cells of hymenopterons. ... The puparium is chestnut brown, 8 to 9 mm. in length and from 2 1-2 to 3 mm broad. Dorsally extremely polished, ventral side minutely wrinkled between the segments. -- Walton 1911
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Muscoidea
- Family
- Anthomyiidae (Root-Maggot Flies)
- Subfamily
- Anthomyiinae
- Tribe
- Hylemyini
- Genus
- Eustalomyia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Holarctic; at least including northern Europe and North America. Type locality is Västergötland, Sweden.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Vittipes means striped feet or marked feet. Other species in the genus have entirely black legs.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Eustalomyia vittipes. 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 Eustalomyia vittipes (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Eustalomyia vittipes
What is Eustalomyia vittipes?
Eustalomyia vittipes is a species in the family Anthomyiidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Eustalomyia vittipes?
The only species of Eustalomyia with partly yellow legs.
Where is Eustalomyia vittipes found?
Range: Holarctic; at least including northern Europe and North America. Type locality is Västergötland, Sweden.