Mallota albipilis
This record describes Mallota albipilis (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Eyes bare; thorax and scutellum pale yellow pilose; abdomen entirely pale pilose; wing obfuscation restricted to the area around the veins; cell c almost completely bare. Molecular data and morphological differences support splitting this taxon into four species. Mallota mississipensis is eastern, M. illinoensis is midwestern, M. diversipennis is restricted to Colorado and Utah and M. albipilis is restricted to Arizona and New Mexico.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
c. US(AZ-NM)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: adults feed on pollen of herbaceous plants; reported to visit Common Milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ), Slender Mountain-Mint ( Pycnanthemum tenuifolia ), Water-Hemlock ( Cicuta maculata ) in Illinois
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Mallota albipilis Snow 1895
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Mallota albipilis. 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 Mallota albipilis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by v belov , Kevin Moran
Frequently Asked Questions About Mallota albipilis
What is Mallota albipilis?
Mallota albipilis is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Mallota albipilis?
11-17 mm
How do you identify Mallota albipilis?
Eyes bare; thorax and scutellum pale yellow pilose; abdomen entirely pale pilose; wing obfuscation restricted to the area around the veins; cell c almost completely bare.
Where is Mallota albipilis found?
Range: c. US(AZ-NM)
What does Mallota albipilis eat?
The diet of the Mallota albipilis includes adults feed on pollen of herbaceous plants; reported to visit Common Milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ), Slender Mountain-Mint ( Pycnanthemum tenuifolia ), Water-Hemlock ( Cicuta maculata ) in Illinois.