Vermileo opacus
This record describes Vermileo opacus (species). Recorded family: Vermileonidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wings nearly hyaline (vs. tinged brownish in our other species, V. comstocki ). A detailed description of the male appears in Leonard(1930) ; while the female was described in Pechuman(1938) . The original description by Coquillett as Pheneus opacus appeared in Baker(1904).
Wikipedia reference for Vermileo opacus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermileo_opacus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Family
- Vermileonidae (Wormlions)
- Genus
- Vermileo (Wormlions)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
CA, CO, NV, NM, ID, UT In the literature, specimens have been recorded from: Arroyo Seco, Pasadena, CA; Pinnacles Nat. Park, CA; Mesa Verde Nat. Park, CO; west of Carson City, NV; various locales north and east of Boise, ID; near Alamogordo, NM; Bandelier National Monument, NM; and Zion National Park, UT.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Vermileo opacus. 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 Vermileo opacus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermileo opacus
What is Vermileo opacus?
Vermileo opacus is a species in the family Vermileonidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Vermileo opacus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 5 mm |
| Female | 5.5 mm |
How do you identify Vermileo opacus?
Wings nearly hyaline (vs. tinged brownish in our other species, V. comstocki ).
Where is Vermileo opacus found?
Range: CA, CO, NV, NM, ID, UT In the literature, specimens have been recorded from: Arroyo Seco, Pasadena, CA; Pinnacles Nat. Park, CA; Mesa Verde Nat. Park, CO; west of Carson City, NV; various locales north and east of Boise, ID; near Alamogordo, NM; Bandelier National Monument, NM; and Zion National Park, UT.