Hemipenthes morioides
This record describes Hemipenthes morioides (species). Recorded family: Bombyliidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Round; dark brown to black. Male and female identical, eyes of female only slightly wider, barely discernable. Antenna: Black, very short. |
| Thorax | Dark brown to black with rust hairs across shoulders; sometimes thorax is bald. Thorax sides may have some yellowish hairs which do not form a definite line. Wings: Dark brown, covering about 2/3rds of the wing, lower dark margin step-like. The dark extends to the inner margin or anal cell. Three sets of cross veins have a light mark on each side of the vein, called aureoles. One near base, one about mid-wing, and another small one below (or R4 + R5, M2 and CUP). |
| Legs | Dark brown with a row of spines on front shin (tibiae). Feet lighter. |
| Abdomen | Dark brown to black with small to large yellowish spots across each segment and a yellowish line across lower margin. Dark fringe mixed intermittently with some white on side edges of abdomen. Types: Holotype as Anthrax morioides by Say, 1823. Type Locality: Missouri. Type destroyed. Syntypes as Anthrax catulina by Coquillett, 1894. Type Locality: Washington & California. Apparently the 4 syntypes were lost from the United States National Museum, Smithsonian, Washington, D.C. per Evenhuis & Greathead (1999). |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Asiloidea
- Family
- Bombyliidae (Bee Flies)
- Subfamily
- Anthracinae
- Tribe
- Villini
- Genus
- Hemipenthes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forest edges and meadows.
Seasonal Activity
All season in southern U.S. Late May to August in the north.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae are hyperparasites (parasites of parasites), mainly of larvae of flies (Diptera, Tachinidae), as well as parasitic wasp larvae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) and caterpillars of the family Noctuidae.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Say 1823
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Hemipenthes morioides. 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 Hemipenthes morioides (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by cotinis , Beatriz Moisset , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Hemipenthes morioides
What is Hemipenthes morioides?
Hemipenthes morioides is a species in the family Bombyliidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Hemipenthes morioides?
5 to 10 mm long.
How do you identify Hemipenthes morioides?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Round; dark brown to black. Male and female identical, eyes of female only slightly wider, barely discernable. Antenna: Black, very short. |
| Thorax | Dark brown to black with rust hairs across shoulders; sometimes thorax is bald. Thorax sides may have some yellowish hairs which do not form a definite line. Wings: Dark brown, covering about 2/3rds of the wing, lower dark margin step-like. The dark extends to the inner margin or anal cell. Three sets of cross veins have a light mark on each side of the vein, called aureoles. One near base, one about mid-wing, and another small one below (or R4 + R5, M2 and CUP). |
| Legs | Dark brown with a row of spines on front shin (tibiae). Feet lighter. |
| Abdomen | Dark brown to black with small to large yellowish spots across each segment and a yellowish line across lower margin. Dark fringe mixed intermittently with some white on side edges of abdomen. |
Where is Hemipenthes morioides found?
Habitat: Forest edges and meadows.
What does Hemipenthes morioides eat?
The diet of the Hemipenthes morioides includes larvae are hyperparasites (parasites of parasites), mainly of larvae of flies (Diptera, Tachinidae), as well as parasitic wasp larvae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) and caterpillars of the family Noctuidae..
When is Hemipenthes morioides active?
Hemipenthes morioides: seasonal activity - All season in southern U.S. Late May to August in the north..