Thereva plebeja
This record describes Thereva plebeja (species). Recorded family: Therevidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
12-14mm. A sturdy-looking fly with a grey and black banded abdomen, particularly so in the female, which is long and conical. The hind femora have two rows of anteroventral bristles (not necessarily neat rows but clearly not one line). The hairs on the top of the abdomen are mainly black but those underneath and on the sides are largely pale. The frons of the female has a large, black, shiny patch which is bilobed and reaches almost to the ocelli. The female has broad, blunt spines on the ovipositor. The veins tend to be darker in this species than others in the genus. Thereva nobilitata and T. strigata are similar but in both these species the female ovipositor has slender and pointed spines. Associated with disturbed and sandy soil. Uncommon but widespread, especially in the south-east of England. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Thereva plebeja: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thereva_plebeja.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera
- Family
- Therevidae
- Genus
- Thereva
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with disturbed and sandy soil.
Seasonal Activity
Mainly May - July.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Uncommon but widespread, especially in the south-east of England.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Thereva plebeja. 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 Thereva plebeja (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Thereva plebeja
What is Thereva plebeja?
Thereva plebeja is a species in the family Therevidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Thereva plebeja found?
Habitat: Associated with disturbed and sandy soil.
When is Thereva plebeja active?
Thereva plebeja: seasonal activity - Mainly May - July..