Leia varia
This record describes Leia varia (species). Recorded family: Mycetophilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
From Johannsen 1911: Body yellow; head black between the eyes, which, and the feelers are also black; the latter are yellow at the base; chest except the fore part, black; segments of the abdomen bordered with black, which color extends partially along the sides of the segments; legs yellow; hips and thighs much paler than the shanks and feet; wings colorless, each with a broad, brown irregular and interrupted band near its tip; veins brown. To the above may be added that the upper half of the pleura, the scutellum, metanotum and last abdominal segment are brownish to black, the halteres are yellow and wings as figured (Fig. 193).
Wikipedia reference for Leia varia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leia_varia.
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
Ontario, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin Also California and Texas based on images ID'd by Peter Kerr.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Leia varia. 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 varia (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Bbarnd
Frequently Asked Questions About Leia varia
What is Leia varia?
Leia varia is a species in the family Mycetophilidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Leia varia?
From Johannsen 1911: Body yellow; head black between the eyes, which, and the feelers are also black; the latter are yellow at the base; chest except the fore part, black; segments of the abdomen bordered with black, which color extends partially along the sides of the segments; legs yellow; hips and thighs much paler than the shanks and feet; wings colorless, each with a broad, brown irregular and interrupted band near its tip; veins brown. To the above may be added that the upper half of the pleura, the scutellum, metanotum and last abdominal segment are brownish to black, the halteres are yellow and wings as figured (Fig. 193).
Where is Leia varia found?
Range: Ontario, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin Also California and Texas based on images ID'd by Peter Kerr.