Opomyza florum
This record describes Opomyza florum (species). Recorded family: Opomyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
5 to 5.5 mm. Orange species with a brown abdomen and with four dark wing markings. Meadows, fields of cereal crops and water margins. Flies hatch in June and July, and will be found in grassland and well wooded areas until late August, then they start to move to cereal fields where they can be found until the end of October. Larva feed on the stems of grasses and can be a pest of cereals. Especially common in early sown wheat crops by late September and October, where they lay their eggs at the base of the plants. As the larva feeds on the stem's interior tissues this results in stunted growth and in high population times this can cause significant cereal crop damage. Widespread in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.
Wikipedia reference for Opomyza florum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opomyza_florum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera
- Family
- Opomyzidae
- Genus
- Opomyza
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Meadows, fields of cereal crops and water margins.
Seasonal Activity
Flies hatch in June and July, and will be found in grassland and well wooded areas until late August, then they start to move to cereal fields where they can be found until the end of October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larva feed on the stems of grasses and can be a pest of cereals. Especially common in early sown wheat crops by late September and October, where they lay their eggs at the base of the plants. As the larva feeds on the stem's interior tissues this results in stunted growth and in high population times this can cause significant cereal crop damage.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Opomyza florum. 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 Opomyza florum (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Opomyza florum
What is Opomyza florum?
Opomyza florum is a species in the family Opomyzidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Opomyza florum found?
Habitat: Meadows, fields of cereal crops and water margins.
When is Opomyza florum active?
Opomyza florum: seasonal activity - Flies hatch in June and July, and will be found in grassland and well wooded areas until late August, then they start to move to cereal fields where they can be found until the end of October..
What is the life cycle of a Opomyza florum?
Larva feed on the stems of grasses and can be a pest of cereals. Especially common in early sown wheat crops by late September and October, where they lay their eggs at the base of the plants. As the larva feeds on the stem's interior tissues this results in stunted growth and in high population times this can cause significant cereal crop damage.