Polybiomyia schnablei
This record describes Polybiomyia schnablei (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species is distinguished among species in our area by the small, yellow, obliquely-angled, prescutellar spots (i.e. angled-inward, just in front of the scutellum on the thorax); the yellow supra-alar stripes (cf. here ); and other markings...together with the underlying dark brown/mahogony ground color and southern Texas range. (Other ceriodine species with such oblique prescutellar markings exist...but they differ in other ways, and are not known to occur north of Central America.) For general info & links to references on the tribe Cerioidini, see the info page here .
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
TX
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Polybiomyia schnablei (Williston 1892)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Polybiomyia schnablei. 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 Polybiomyia schnablei (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Polybiomyia schnablei
What is Polybiomyia schnablei?
Polybiomyia schnablei is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Polybiomyia schnablei?
This species is distinguished among species in our area by the small, yellow, obliquely-angled, prescutellar spots (i.e. angled-inward, just in front of the scutellum on the thorax); the yellow supra-alar stripes (cf. here ); and other markings...together with the underlying dark brown/mahogony ground color and southern Texas range. (Other ceriodine species with such oblique prescutellar markings exist...but they differ in other ways, and are not known to occur north of Central America.)
Where is Polybiomyia schnablei found?
Range: TX