Medetera aberrans
This record describes Medetera aberrans (species). Recorded family: Dolichopodidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
A relatively shining, green species with yellow legs. Lateral scutellar bristles half as long as apical. Male with modified fore tarsus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Empidoidea
- Family
- Dolichopodidae (Longlegged Flies)
- Subfamily
- Medeterinae
- Genus
- Medetera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Representative Images Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals) Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) Class Insecta (Insects) Order Diptera (Flies) No Taxon (Orthorrhapha) Superfamily Empidoidea Family Dolichopodidae (Longlegged Flies) Subfamily Medeterinae Genus Medetera No Taxon (aberrans species group) Species aberrans (Medetera aberrans) Synonyms and other taxonomic changes Medetera aberrans Wheeler, 1899 Size 2.5 to 3 mm Identification A relatively shining, green species with yellow legs. Lateral scutellar bristles half as long as apical. Male with modified fore tarsus. Range Eastern USA and adjacent Canada Habitat "Adults are frequently swept from wet grasslands or marshes. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coastas, M. aberrans has been taken from Spartina salt marshes." -- Bickel (1985)
Geographic Range
Eastern USA and adjacent Canada
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Medetera aberrans. 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 Medetera aberrans (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Medetera aberrans
What is Medetera aberrans?
Medetera aberrans is a species in the family Dolichopodidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Medetera aberrans?
2.5 to 3 mm
How do you identify Medetera aberrans?
A relatively shining, green species with yellow legs. Lateral scutellar bristles half as long as apical. Male with modified fore tarsus.
Where is Medetera aberrans found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Representative Images Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals) Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) Class Insecta (Insects) Order Diptera (Flies) No Taxon (Orthorrhapha) Superfamily Empidoidea Family Dolichopodidae (Longlegged Flies) Subfamily Medeterinae Genus Medetera No Taxon (aberrans species group) Species aberrans (Medetera aberrans) Synonyms and other taxonomic changes Medetera aberrans Wheeler, 1899 Size 2.5 to 3 mm Identification A relatively shining, green species with yellow legs. Lateral scutellar bristles half as long as apical. Male with modified fore tarsus. Range Eastern USA and adjacent Canada Habitat Adults are frequently swept from wet grasslands or marshes. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coastas, M. aberrans has been taken from Spartina salt marshes. -- Bickel (1985) |
| Range | Eastern USA and adjacent Canada |