Nemomydas venosus
This record describes Nemomydas venosus (species). Recorded family: Mydidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females (according to Hardy[1950]): Chiefly yellow to rufous; only the face, labella, 4th antennal segment, and bases of some of the abdominal terga discolored with brown to blackish. Males: Tergites 1-7 of males black or brownish-black on basal three-fourths of segment, with transverse yellow to whitish posterior margins. Basal portions of hind femora and tibia pale (yellow to whitish). Hardy described first posterior cell (= cell r5) as open a wing margin...but type images from MCZ indicate that's not always the case. Kondratieff & Welch reported existence of dark phases and light phases in both females & males, with mixed pairs taken in copula. (Hardy made no mention of these 2 phases...apparently describing the light phase for the female, and the dark phase for the male.)
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ, NM, CO, TX, KS
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Nemomydas venosus. 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 Nemomydas venosus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Keith Bayless; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About Nemomydas venosus
What is Nemomydas venosus?
Nemomydas venosus is a species in the family Mydidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Nemomydas venosus?
Females (according to Hardy[1950]): Chiefly yellow to rufous; only the face, labella, 4th antennal segment, and bases of some of the abdominal terga discolored with brown to blackish. Males: Tergites 1-7 of males black or brownish-black on basal three-fourths of segment, with transverse yellow to whitish posterior margins. Basal portions of hind femora and tibia pale (yellow to whitish). Hardy described first posterior cell (= cell r5) as open a wing margin...but type images from MCZ indicate that's not always the case. Kondratieff & Welch reported existence of dark phases and light phases in both females & males, with mixed pairs taken in copula. (Hardy made no mention of these 2 phases...apparently describing the light phase for the female, and the dark phase for the male.)
Where is Nemomydas venosus found?
Range: AZ, NM, CO, TX, KS