Minettia flaveola
This record describes Minettia flaveola (species). Recorded family: Lauxaniidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Common in California (and the only yellow Minettia there). Usually all yellow, sometimes with a dark stripe on the thorax (form univittata), sometimes more extensively gray.
Wikipedia reference for Minettia flaveola: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minettia_flaveola.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Lauxanioidea
- Family
- Lauxaniidae
- Genus
- Minettia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Western USA and British Columbia
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae sometimes in decaying leaves and pine cones, but also in deserts.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sapromyza flaveola Coquillett, 1898 Sapromyza univittata Coquillett, 1904
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Minettia flaveola. 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 Minettia flaveola (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Minettia flaveola
What is Minettia flaveola?
Minettia flaveola is a species in the family Lauxaniidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Minettia flaveola found?
Range: Western USA and British Columbia
What does Minettia flaveola eat?
The diet of the Minettia flaveola includes Larvae sometimes in decaying leaves and pine cones, but also in deserts..