Silver-backed Laphria
Laphria trux
This record describes Laphria trux (species). Recorded family: Asilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Large silver patch of hairs typically in front of the scutellum.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
chaparral and dry forest vegetation in mountains
Geographic Range
CA-Baja (mainly so. CA, Sta. Barbara Co. to San Diego Co.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Laphria trux McAtee 1919 Silver-backed Laphria: https://www.robberfliesoftheworld.com/NA_CommonNames.php
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Laphria trux. 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 Silver-backed Laphria (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by v belov , Chris Cohen
Frequently Asked Questions About Silver-backed Laphria
What is Silver-backed Laphria?
Silver-backed Laphria (Laphria trux) is a species in the family Asilidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Silver-backed Laphria?
Large silver patch of hairs typically in front of the scutellum.
Where is Silver-backed Laphria found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | chaparral and dry forest vegetation in mountains |
| Range | CA-Baja (mainly so. CA, Sta. Barbara Co. to San Diego Co.) |