Hoplitimyia mutabilis
This record describes Hoplitimyia mutabilis (species). Recorded family: Stratiomyidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Hoplitimyia mutabilis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoplitimyia_mutabilis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Family
- Stratiomyidae (Soldier flies)
- Subfamily
- Stratiomyinae
- Tribe
- Stratiomyini
- Genus
- Hoplitimyia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
se US, AZ (AZ, TX-FL) to S. America - Map (Norm Woodley, comment, 2007),(Souza-Silva et al. 2001) ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
Apr-Nov in TX (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
in Brazil, common primarily on Asteraceae and also Boraginaceae (Souza-Silva et al. 2001)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Hoplitimyia mutabilis (Fabricius 1787)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Hoplitimyia mutabilis. 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 Hoplitimyia mutabilis (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoplitimyia mutabilis
How big is Hoplitimyia mutabilis?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 11 mm |
| Male | 9 mm |
Where is Hoplitimyia mutabilis found?
Range: se US, AZ (AZ, TX-FL) to S. America - Map (Norm Woodley, comment, 2007),(Souza-Silva et al. 2001) ( 3 )
When is Hoplitimyia mutabilis active?
Hoplitimyia mutabilis: seasonal activity - Apr-Nov in TX (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Hoplitimyia mutabilis?
in Brazil, common primarily on Asteraceae and also Boraginaceae (Souza-Silva et al. 2001)