Phaonia pallida
This record describes Phaonia pallida (species). Recorded family: Muscidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length about 7 mm. An orange fly with a very hairy thorax. Thricops diaphanus is a very similar orange muscid. Females can be separated by the frontal vitta (area between eyes) which is orange in P. pallida but dark in T. diaphanus . Males will generally need microscopic examination unless they have the darkened front to the thorax which is a feature of some, but not all, male P. pallida . Larvae are associated with fungi and rotten wood. Fairly common and widespread in England and Wales.
Wikipedia reference for Phaonia pallida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaonia_pallida.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often seen in woodland.
Seasonal Activity
May to September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae are associated with fungi and rotten wood.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common and widespread in England and Wales.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Phaonia pallida. 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 Phaonia pallida (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Phaonia pallida
What is Phaonia pallida?
Phaonia pallida is a species in the family Muscidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Phaonia pallida?
about 7 mm. An orange fly with a very hairy thorax.
Where is Phaonia pallida found?
Habitat: Often seen in woodland.
When is Phaonia pallida active?
Phaonia pallida: seasonal activity - May to September..
What is the life cycle of a Phaonia pallida?
Larvae are associated with fungi and rotten wood.