Phaonia rufiventris
This record describes Phaonia rufiventris (species). Recorded family: Muscidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species has a grey thorax and an orange abdomen, the scutellum is usually entirely orange (but not always), and the fore tibia without posterior setae. Separated from Phaonia subventa by the presence of only one presutural acrostichal bristle and the mid tibia having 3 posterior setae. Fairly common in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.
Classification
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Phaonia rufiventris. 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.
