Thambemyia borealis
This record describes Thambemyia borealis (species). Recorded family: Dolichopodidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Empidoidea
- Family
- Dolichopodidae (Longlegged Flies)
- Subfamily
- Hydrophorinae
- Genus
- Thambemyia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Like Paraphrosylus , species of Thambemyia live exclusively in the intertidal zone of rocky seashores or coral reefs. The predaceous larvae live among barnacles in the littoral zone and pupate in the valves of dead barnacles."
Geographic Range
Native to Japan, introduced to New World (California, Alabama, and Peru) by shipping. The species was first collected in 1993 in California and Alabama.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae mainly eat larvae of Chironomidae.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Borealis means northern. In its native range, this is the most northerly species of its genus.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Thambemyia borealis. 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 Thambemyia borealis (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr