Mallota bautias
This record describes Mallota bautias (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
abdomen black pilose beyond first segment; eyes bare (not pilose as in M. posticata ); Western specimens (i.e. Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado) usually have T4 yellow pilose. Males show hilltopping behavior: they congregate in open elevated areas (hilltops, moraines, escarpments, clifftops) and wait for females to arrive
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
woodlands and wood edges; adults visit flowers
Geographic Range
e. NA (QC-FL to CO-TX)
Seasonal Activity
Apr-Jun in OK , mid-May to mid-Jul in ON
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae are deposit filter-feeders in water-filled tree holes
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Species name bautias is obscure. Perhaps a patronym/matronym, as there is a Rue Pierre Bautias in France.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Mallota bautias. 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 bautias (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , Bbarnd , Mike Quinn , v belov , Kevin Moran
Frequently Asked Questions About Mallota bautias
What is Mallota bautias?
Mallota bautias is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Mallota bautias?
11-17 mm
How do you identify Mallota bautias?
abdomen black pilose beyond first segment; eyes bare (not pilose as in M. posticata ); Western specimens (i.e. Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado) usually have T4 yellow pilose.
Where is Mallota bautias found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | woodlands and wood edges; adults visit flowers |
| Range | e. NA (QC-FL to CO-TX) |
What does Mallota bautias eat?
The diet of the Mallota bautias includes larvae are deposit filter-feeders in water-filled tree holes.
When is Mallota bautias active?
Mallota bautias: seasonal activity - Apr-Jun in OK , mid-May to mid-Jul in ON.