Suillia quinquepunctata
This record describes Suillia quinquepunctata (species). Recorded family: Heleomyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wing with five spots, scutellum with hairs over most of dorsal surface, anepisternum bare, gena narrow. Other eastern species can be distinguished: Nemorum has hairs on the anepisternum and ranges only overlap narrowly in the north. Plumata has a broader gena and fewer hairs on the scutellum. Longipennis has a broader gena and faintly marked wings. Convergens has a bare scutellum and unmarked wings. Apicalis has a few hairs on the anepisternum and scutellum.
Wikipedia reference for Suillia quinquepunctata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suillia_quinquepunctata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Sphaeroceroidea
- Family
- Heleomyzidae
- Subfamily
- Suilliinae
- Genus
- Suillia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern USA and southern Ontario
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "Five spotted" (spots at the ends of three long wing veins and over the two crossveins, markings also present in some later-described species)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Suillia quinquepunctata. 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 Suillia quinquepunctata (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Suillia quinquepunctata
What is Suillia quinquepunctata?
Suillia quinquepunctata is a species in the family Heleomyzidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Suillia quinquepunctata?
Wing with five spots, scutellum with hairs over most of dorsal surface, anepisternum bare, gena narrow. Other eastern species can be distinguished: Nemorum has hairs on the anepisternum and ranges only overlap narrowly in the north. Plumata has a broader gena and fewer hairs on the scutellum. Longipennis has a broader gena and faintly marked wings. Convergens has a bare scutellum and unmarked wings. Apicalis has a few hairs on the anepisternum and scutellum.
Where is Suillia quinquepunctata found?
Range: Eastern USA and southern Ontario