Schizomyia verbesinae
This record describes Schizomyia verbesinae (species). Recorded family: Cecidomyiidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
The orange-red larvae develop in aborted, swollen florets of Verbesina alternifolia . This species is known only from galls and larvae and cannot yet be placed to genus. Larvae exit the galls to pupate in the ground. Comment from John Plakidas, 12/14/2012: I have reared flies from these galls on Verbesina alternifolia here in Allegheny Co. Pennsylvania, and it's a Schizomyia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Beutenmuller described this species from galls and larvae as Cecidomyia verbesinae . It is illustrated in Gagne's red book on page 160. There is a possibility that your galls represent a new species since it's on a different host plant [ Verbesina occidentalis ]. They are difficult to rear since the larvae leave the galls, spin a cocoon and pupate in soil where they overwinter. Adults typically emerge the following June. They only have one generation a year.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sciaroidea
- Family
- Cecidomyiidae (Gall Midges and Wood Midges)
- Subfamily
- Cecidomyiinae
- Tribe
- Asphondyliini
- Genus
- Schizomyia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Schizomyia verbesinae. 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 Schizomyia verbesinae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman