Leia opima
This record describes Leia opima (species). Recorded family: Mycetophilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | From Johannsen 1911: Head yellow, vertex and upper half of occiput fuscous; antennae fuscous, scape, first flagellar joint and palpi yellow. |
| Thorax | Thorax including scutellum yellow; dorsum shining, on each side with large, black, oval spot which is produced forward to the anterior third of thorax leaving only a narrow yellow vitta in the center; the metathoracic tubercles and the metanotum black. Pile yellow, on the darker parts, dusky. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen largely black, the base of the second tergite and the anterior angles of the following ones, the hypopygium (Fig. 100) and the venter, yellow. Coxae and legs pale yellow, extreme apices of hind femora black, tarsi except their bases, fuscous black. |
| Wings | Wings dilutely cinereous, veins fuscous; the preapical fascia paler toward the posterior margin; a fuscous spot covers the base of the crossvein and the petiole of the media; another spot is behind Cu2; (Fig. 205). Halteres yellow. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Mycetophilidae (Fungus Gnats)
- Subfamily
- Leiinae
- Genus
- Leia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Wisconsin to Maine, south to Iowa and North Carolina. Also, Alberta and Wyoming.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Leia opima. 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 Leia opima (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Brad Barnd
Frequently Asked Questions About Leia opima
What is Leia opima?
Leia opima is a species in the family Mycetophilidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Leia opima?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | From Johannsen 1911: Head yellow, vertex and upper half of occiput fuscous; antennae fuscous, scape, first flagellar joint and palpi yellow. |
| Thorax | Thorax including scutellum yellow; dorsum shining, on each side with large, black, oval spot which is produced forward to the anterior third of thorax leaving only a narrow yellow vitta in the center; the metathoracic tubercles and the metanotum black. Pile yellow, on the darker parts, dusky. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen largely black, the base of the second tergite and the anterior angles of the following ones, the hypopygium (Fig. 100) and the venter, yellow. Coxae and legs pale yellow, extreme apices of hind femora black, tarsi except their bases, fuscous black. |
| Wings | Wings dilutely cinereous, veins fuscous; the preapical fascia paler toward the posterior margin; a fuscous spot covers the base of the crossvein and the petiole of the media; another spot is behind Cu2; (Fig. 205). Halteres yellow. |
Where is Leia opima found?
Range: Wisconsin to Maine, south to Iowa and North Carolina. Also, Alberta and Wyoming.