ORDER DIPTERA (true flies) with special reference to those found in Utah

ORDER: DIPTERA (true flies) with special reference to those found in Utah prepared by: G Hughes, & G Hughes, October 2006 revised by: D J Betts, November 2008 Diagnosing Features, adults: One pair of wings (Fig 1); Halteres – reduced hind wings that aid in flight; gyroscope-like function (Fig 1); Diverse mouthparts including: piercing, sucking, cutting, and lapping or sponging (plesiomorphic biting and chewing type are not represented) Diagnosing Features, larvae: Lacking paired legs on thorax, but diverse form otherwise (Fig 2, 4, 8, 12); Variety of “worm” shapes (Fig 2, 4, 9, 10, 23, 27, 31, 39) Habitat: Larval forms are found in nearly all aquatic habitat types, excluding the open ocean Adults are semi-aquatic and terrestrial Trophic Habits: Nearly all trophic groups are represented Development: Holometabolous Preservation: Larvae and pupae preserved in alcohol Adults can be pointed or pinned Long-legged forms (adults) are frequently preserved in alcohol Preserving outside of alcohol, long-legged forms should initially be laterally flattened in glassine envelopes then pointed by gluing right side of thorax to the point, with the legs directed toward the pin Notes: In the number of species, Dipterans are the most diverse aquatic group Among the aquatic Diptera, the majority are of the suborder Nematocera Most if not all of the larvae of several nematocerous families are aquatic The suborder Brachycera is also well represented in aquatic habitats Nematocera is a paraphyletic group because the descendants of their common ancestor would include the Brachycera The nematocerans are the mosquito-like flies, and the brachycerans are more robust When in doubt, with respect to Diptera the answer is: Voluptuous Figures: Fig – Adult crane fly Fig – Tabanid larvae SUBORDER: NEMATOCERA (long-horned flies) Morphology (larvae): Distinctly sclerotized heads with opposing mandibles which open and close from side to side Morphology (adults): Approximately (or many more) antennal segments (Fig 3); Usually delicate flies with long leg (Fig 1, 3) Fig – Adult mosquito (Culicidae) FAMILY: BLEPHARICERIDAE (net-winged midges) Fig – Agathon larva (ventral) Fig – Agathon larva (dorsal) Morphology (larvae): Head and thorax and at least one abdominal segment fused, with an additional six body divisions bearing sucker disks (Fig 4, 5) Morphology (adults): Creases in wings in addition to he veins Ecology: scrapers in torrents of waterfalls and fast riffles; limited to high gradient streams, usually running over igneous or metamorphic rock, rarely on limestone Utah Genera: Bibiocephala grandis Osten Sacken: Common locally; in northern Utah streams Agathon: may occur in Utah Dioptosis: may occur in Utah FAMILY: CERATOPOGONIDAE (no-see-ums; biting midges) Fig – Ceratopogonid larva Morphology (larvae): Most common genera are small, thin, and elongate; tapered at both ends (Fig 6); Head capsule apparent; Some with a single thoracic proleg; Many with setae and tubercles Morphology (adults): M vein branched (wings); Small, with biting mouthparts in females; Males with constricted, plumose antennae Ecology: collectors and predators; many live on the margins of deep water in silty substrates where they are burrowers Utah Genera: SUBFAMILY Dasyheleinae Dasyheila (2 or more species) Common; may be present in algae mats; presumably widespread Utah species are D grisea and D mutabilis (?) SUBFAMILY Forcipomyinae Atrichopogon Probably occurs in Utah on wet stones, floating logs, or algae in streams or ponds Forcipomyia calcarata (Coquillett) Common; may be aquatic as some species are found in moss, etc presumably widespread SUBFAMILY Ceratopogoninae Culicoides (about 20 species) Abundant; in a wide variety of ponds rich in organic mater, in fresher edges of Great Salt Lake Palpomyia Occurring in a wide variety of lakes, ponds and streams in the muddy or sandy margins or bottoms, often occurring in algae mats; presumably widespread FAMILY: CHAOBORIDAE (phantom midges; lake flies; glass worms) Fig – Live Chaoboridae larva Morphology (larvae): Clear bodied (clouds to white in dead specimens), with silvery air sacs for buoyancy (Fig 7); Prehensile, raptorial antennae Morphology (adults): Similar to chironomids, but have longitudinal wing vein R1 ending in C closer to R2 than to Sc Ecology: Predators in the plankton of lentic habitats which are usually fish free Utah Genera: Chaoborus americanus (Johannsen) Common to abundant locally in Uinta and Wasatch Mountains; chiefly in small shallow lakes or permanent pools of moderate to large size Chaoborus punctipennis (Say) and Chaoborus flavicans (Morgan) may also occur in Utah Mochlonyx velutinus (Ruthe) Uncommon in Uinta and Wasatch Mountains; in small temporary or semi-permanent pools Eucorethra underwoodi Underwood Uncommon throughout Wasatch and Uinta Mountains; in small to moderate sized semi-permanent or permanent pools, especially in the woods FAMILY: CHIRONOMIDAE (midges) Morphology (larvae): Prothorax with single proleg (Fig 8); Prolegs of abdomen complex (Fig 9) Morphology (adults): Scutellum with midline suture; Prominent plumose antennae (especially in males); Front tarsi elongated; M unbranched in long, narrow wings Ecology: Chironomids are the most species rich group of aquatic insects; they are diverse in their life histories and habits as well Figures: Fig – Single thoracic proleg of a chironomid Fig – Chironomid larva Utah Genera: SUBFAMILY Tanypodinae Tanypus (2 or more species) Probably widespread, lakes and streams Derotanypus (1 or more species) Northern Utah, lakes and streams Allotanypus venustrus Salt Lake County Psectrotanypus (4 or more species) Northern Utah Thienemannimyia barberi Green River Ablebesmyia (2 or more species) Northern Utah Conchepolopia geniodes Dinosaur Natl Park Paramerina (4 or more species) Northern Utah Procladius (4 or more species) Ponds and streams, northern Utah SUBFAMILY Podonominae Podonomus (1 or more species) Streams SUBFAMILY Diamesinae Diamesa (8 or more species) Streams, probably widespread Pagastia partica Provo River Pseudodiamesa (3 or more species) Common Probably widespread Heptagyia (1 or more species) Uncommon Streams (Mill Creek) Prodiamesa (2 or more species) Streams (Mill Creek) SUBFAMILY Orthocladiinae Brilla (1 species) Common Mill Creek Eukiefferiella (1 or more species) Uncommon San Juan and Colorado Rivers Nanocladius (16 or more species) Northern Utah, streams (probably widespread) Orthocladius (10 or more species) Widespread In streams Symbiocladius equitans (Claassen) Widespread As a commensal or parasite under the wing pads of Rhithrogena mayflies Cricotopus (13 or more species) Northern Utah; widespread? Rheocricotopus (4 or more species) In streams, Northern Utah; widespread? Psectrocladius (8 or more species) Widespread, streams and rivers Corynoneura (2 or more species) Northern Utah, in streams SUBFAMILY Chironominae Chirnomus (10 or more species) Abundant; widespread; lakes, ponds and streams C utahensis has very large hatches whenever marshes are ice free along Great Salt Lake Cryptochironomus (4 or more species) Northern Utah, widespread? Lakes and marshes Dicrotendipes (5 or more species) Northern Utah; widespread? Lakes and streams Glyptotendipes (3 or more species) Widespread, marshes Microtendipes (2 or more species) Widespread in Utah, lakes and rivers Paratendipesi (1 or more species) Uncommon Widespread Phaenopsectra (3 or more species) Northern Utah, creeks, reservoirs and marshes Polypedilum (3 or more species) Widespread in Utah, lakes and streams Pseudochironomus richardsoni Northern Utah, marshes Stictochironomus (3 or more species) Northern Utah, rivers, lakes and creeks Microspectra (5 or more species) Common, Northern Utah, creeks and rivers Stempellina (1 or more species) Uncommon, Mill Creek Tanytarsus (4 or more species) Widespread in Utah Atanytarsus vanderwulpi Northern Utah Rheotanytarsus (1 or more species) Widespread in Utah rivers and creeks Zavrelia (1 or more species) FAMILY: CULICIDAE (mosquitoes) Fig 11- Toxorhynchites and Orthopodomyia larvae Fig 10 - Psorophora larva Morphology (larvae): Most with a tubular siphon at the apex of the abdomen (Fig 10, 11), but not in the tribe Anophelini (Fig 12, 13)); Mouth brushes prominent; Thorax fused into a single segment Morphology (adults): Long proboscis; Scales on wing veins and on the mouthparts of males Ecology: Found in stagnant waters, including habitats as small as tree holes or tuna fish cans They can be very numerous (and thus important) in these habitats Of course mosquitoes are very important because they are blood feeders that often serve as vectors for serious human and other animal diseases Figures: Fig 13 – Anopheles at surface (dorsal view) Fig 12 – Anopheles larvae close to the surface because of the highly reduced siphon Utah Genera: Aedes (26 species) Abundant; mountains and valleys in temporary pools; widespread Anopheles (3 species) Common in valleys at elevations below 7000 ft; in permanent or semi-permanent freshwater pools or marshes; widespread Culex (8 species) Abundant in valleys at elevations below 7500 ft, primarily in semi-permanent or permanent pools of marshes Cx pipiens and tarsalis also in artificial containers or gutters in urban areas; widespread Culiesta (6 species) Abundant in valleys and mountainous areas in semipermanent or permanent pools Mansonia pertubans (Walker) Common locally in valleys along Wasatch front in northern Utah; restricted to permanent ponds and marshes as larvae and pupae respire through air spaces in roots or stems of submerged aquatic vegetation Psorophora signipennis (Coquillett) Reported only from Dugway, Utah, where it is uncommon; occurs in temporary desert pools Orthopodomyia signifera (Coquillett) Tree-hole species occurring in cottonwoods in southeast Utah FAMILY: DEUTEROPHLEBIIDAE (mountain midges) Fig 14 – Deuterophlebiid larva (dorsal view) Fig 15 – Ventral view Morphology (larvae): Seven pairs of prologs projecting ventrolaterally (Fig 14, 15); Apices of prologs encircled by transverse rows of hooked spinules (Fig 15); Head capsule complete; Antennae forked, longer than length of head (Fig 14) Morphology (pupae): Small, dark and lense-shaped Morphology (adults): Fan shaped wings; Males have extremely long antennae Ecology: Larvae and pupae are found on the surfaces of rocks in swiftly-flowing streams Utah Genera: Deuterophlebia coloradensis Pennak Uncommon except locally; on rocks in fast streams; northern Utah (abundant in lower Ashley Creek near Vernal, Utah) FAMILY: DIXIDAE (meniscus midges) Fig 16 – Meringodixa larva Morphology (larvae): Paired crochet-bearing prolegs on ventral surface of abdominal segments and (Fig 17); Posterior abdomen with two flattened dorsolateral post-spiracular lobes with setose margins (Fig 16, 18, 19) The lobes project above a conical, dorsally-sclerotized segment bearing the terminal anus and anal papillae; Thoracic segments individually distinguishable; Thorax and abdomen about equal in diameter or abdomen wider; Setae on thoracic and abdominal segments not tufted and anal fan of terminal segment absent Ecology: Larvae live on the surface films of freshwater streams and ponds Posterior and dorsal setae allow the larvae to cling to surface film (Fig 16) Figures: Fig 17 – Abdominal prolegs (ventral side up) Fig 18 – Posterior abdominal lobes (dorsal) Fig 19 – Posterior abdominal lobes (ventral) Utah Genera: Dixella (3 species) Common; on the surface films of freshwater streams and ponds; widespread Dixa Almost certainly occurs in Utah Reported by Paul Adams from Mill Creek Meringodixa – Wasatch county, (and?) FAMILY: PSYCHODIDAE (moth flies or drain flies) Morphology (larvae): All body segments divided into or subdivisions with some or all of these bearing dorsal sclerotized plates (Fig 20, 21); remaining integument with dark spots which, with the plates, give a grayish brown appearance to the larva; At most, only a single anal proleg present (Fig 21); Thoracic segments individually distinguishable; Thorax and abdomen about equal in diametder or abdomen wider; Setae on thoracic and abdominal segments not tufted and anal fan of terminal segment absent; Posterior abdominal segments lacking long filamentous processes (compare to Tanyderidae) Amphipneustic respiratory structures; posterior spiracles usually at apex of a relatively short respiratory tube Ecology: larvae often live in aquatic habitats with low oxygen levels, including bathroom sinks Figures: Fig 20 – Pericoma larva Fig 21 Utah Genera: Maruina (1 or more species) On wet rocks in spray of fast-flowing streams Psychoda (1 or more species) Often found in polluted waters, water treatment plant trickling filters, and in household drains, etc Pericoma (1 or more species) Uncommon; Mill Creek Telmatoscopus (1 or more species) Uncommon; Mill Creek FAMILY: PTYCHOPTERIDAE (phantom crane flies) Fig 22 – Ptychopterid larva Morphology (larvae): Very long long siphon with terminal spiracle and two projections at apex of abdomen (Fig 22); First three segments of abdomen bearing prominent prolegs Multiple ridges and papillae on abdomen Morphology (adults): Haltere with a projection at base called the prehaltere; R vein with four branches (wings) Ecology: Collectors and shredders in mucky backwaters with leaf litter and organic matter 10 Utah Genera: Bittacomorpha clavipes (Fabricius) Uncommon; larvae in shallow water heavily filled with vegetation; northern Wasatch and Uinta Mountains Larvae from Butte Creek and Whiskey Spring in Daniels Canyon Ptychoptera (3 species) Widespread in mountains of northern and central Utah Utah species are P lania Osten Sacken, P pendula Alexander, and P uta Alexander FAMILY: SIMULIIDAE (black flies) Fig 23 – Prosimulium larva Fig 24 – Simulium larva Morphology (larvae): Body club-shaped, with largest end at the tip of abdomen (Fig 23); Cephalic fans (Fig 24) Morphology (adults): Very stocky and hump backed: Wings broad, anterior veins strgon with posterior veins weak and poorly developed Ecology: Collectors in currents of lotic habitats, filtering out fine particulate organic matter; prefer the strongest part of the current; compete for territory; they use silk to attach to substrates sometimes extending long lines to drift into the current before reeling themselves back in Utah Genera: Cnephia (4 species) Uncommon except locally in mountain streams of northern Utah Eusimulium (7species) Abundant; in running waters; widespread Prosimulium (8 species) Abundant; in running waters; widespread Simulium (22 species) Abundant; in running waters; esp some temporary streams; widespread Twinnia nova Dyar and Shannon Rare; one specimen reported from an unknown Utah locality FAMILY: TANYDERIDAE (primitive crane flies) 11 Fig 25 Fig 26 – Terminal abdominal segments Morphology (larvae): Last two abdominal segments with pairs long filamentous processes (Fig 25, 26) arising laterally on the next to last segment, dorsolaterally on the anal segment (near the apex of prolegs); Prolegs (2) on anal segment only; prolegs elongate and cylindracal, projecting posteroventrally; Thoracic segments individually distinguishable Thorax and abdomen about equal in diameter or abdomen wider; Setae on thoracic and abdominal segment not tufted and anal fan of terminal segment absent Ecology: semi-aquatic in habits Larvae often found in wet rotten wood, or in sandy stream margins; adults on riparian vegetation Utah Genera: Protanyderus margarita Alexander Uncommon; small streams with rock and sand bottoms; the adult was described from Zion National Park, Utah; larvae have been collected from the Virgin River at Springdale in October FAMILY: TIPULIDAE (crane flies) Fig 27 – Hexatoma larva Morphology (larvae): Posterior spiracles usually bordered by 1-3 or 5-7 pairs of short lobes that are often fringed with short to long hairs (Fig 28, 29); Head capusule stongly sclerotized, but often partially to fully retracted within thorax (Fig 27, 30); 12 Head capsule usually with longitudinal incisions of varying depths dorsolaterally Morphology (adults): “V” on mesonotum; Many veins in wings; R usually with branches; Long, slender legs which break off easily Ecology: Shredders, scrapers, and predators; many live in rich black muck in marshes and near springs; some live in creeks and streams; they can be very numerous in leaf packs (and thus important as shredders) Figures: Fig 28 – Prionocera terminal segments Fig 29 – Holorusia terminal segments Fig 30 – Partially retracted head capsule of a Prionocera larva Utah Genera: Antocha monticola Alexander Common; abundant locally in silken cases on rocks in cool streams; north and central Utah mountains Cryptolabis (3 species) Uncommon; widespread Found in sand in clear, cold streams Dactylolabis knowltoni Alexander Uncommon; on wet seeps and walls; northern Utah mountains Dicranota (8 species) Common; found in mud and in streams; northern Utah Elliptera astigmatica Alexander Uncommon; on wet mossy surfaces at falls and seeps; central Utah Erioptera (26 species) Common; some species in wet sand or mud; widespread Gonomyia (18 species) Common; in wet mud and sand at edge of streams; widespread Hexatoma (3 species) Common; in streams and rivers; the mature larvae on the wet banks; widespread in mountains Holorusia grandis (update species name for this) (Bergoth) Common; in a wide variety of streams in silty areas and in dense leaf packs; widespread Linophila (1 or more species) Reported from Huntington Creek by Winget (1972) Limonia (21 species) Common; widespread At edges of ponds, lakes and streams Pedicia (2 species) Common; edges, in streams and brooks, saturated leaves and moss; northern and central Utah Phyllolabis zionensis Alexander Uncommon; known only from Zion National Park, Utah May not be aquatic 13 Prionocera uinticola (Alexander) Uncommon; probably in heavily vegetated ponds; Uinta mountains Tipula (51 or more species) Abundant; in streams at muddy margins and in numerous non-aquatic habitats; widespread SUBORDER: BRACHYCERA (short-horned flies) Morphology (larvae): Most with head and mouthparts reduced to mouth hooks called cephalopharyngeal complex, but prominent exceptions exist, especially in the “Middle” Brachycera like Tabanidae and Stratiomyidae Mandibles are opposed, but slide forward and back parallel to the main axis of the body, they not open and close laterally as with Nematocera Morphology (adults): Generally to antennal segments; Usually stout flies FAMILY: ATHERICIDAE (formerly Rhagionidae; snipe flies) Fig 31 – Atherix larva Fig 32 – Reduced head capsule Morphology (larvae): Distinct pairs of prolegs on most abdominal segments (Fig 31); Abdominal terminus with two fleshy projections in the dorsoventral plane which have a prominent row of long hairs, especially along inner margins(Fig 31); Head capsule not prominent (Fig 31, 32) Morphology (adults): Stocky, medium sized flies with three pads associated with each tarsus (as in Rhagionidae sensu stricto) Ecology: predators in current, most often in gravel and cobble Utah Genus: Atherix variegata Walker Abundant; occurring in a wide variety of streams; widespread 14 FAMILY: Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies) Morphology (larvae): Head capsule reduced to a pair of slender metacephalic rods (expanded posteriorly) which, with tentorial rods, articulate with anterior cephalic sclerites; Submental plate and brushes of bristles above mandibles absent; Metapneustic Posterior spiracles situated at the base of upper of smooth primary lobes of last abdominal segment; Transverse ventral creeping welts present on abdominal segments +Morphology (adults): Heart-shaped head with relatively armored mouthparts; Often metallic coloration; Long legs; r-m basal, usually in the first ¼ of wing Ecology: One of the largest families of flies; adults are predatory Figures: Fig 33 – Reduced head capsule Fig 34 Fig 35 – Transverse ventral creeping welts on abdomen Utah Genera: Larvae have been collected from Mill Creek Canyon (Adams, 1976) and from Provo River in Provo Canyon (October) FAMILY: EMPIDIDAE (dagger flies and ballon flies) Morphology (larvae): Head capsule reduced to a pair of slender metacephalic rods (slender posteriorly) which, with tentorial rods, articulate with anterior cephalic sclerites Submental plate and brushes of bristles above mandibles absent Larva usually apneustic; if metapneustic, then posterior segment with only a single lobe below spiracles; Terminal abdominal segment with 1-4 round lobes bearing apical setae, and abdominal segments bearing paired prolegs with apical crochets (Fig 37); Abdominal segments with ventral creeping welts 15 Ecology: Larvae are generally predaceous, although there are scavengers Taxonomists are beginning to classify Empididae as a subfamily of Dolichopodidae Figures: Fig 36 – Hemerodromia larva Fig 37 – Terminal segments and prolegs Utah Genera: A Utah species of this family has been reported in drift from Mil Creek It was identified as Wiedemannia (Adams, 1976), which is indicated by Merritt and Cummings as an Eastern species FAMILY: STRATIOMYIDAE (soldier flies) Fig 38 – Euparyphus larva Morphology (larvae): Head capsule heavily sclerotized, readily apparent; usually not retractile (Fig 38); Body armored with reticulate sclerotization and calcium deposits Morphology (adults): Small flies; many mimic stinging Hymenoptera, while others are metallic green; Closed discal cells (small), with radiating veins distally (wings) Ecology: collectors in slow current areas or pools or vertical wet wall hanging gardens Utah Genera: Adoxomyia (1 or more species) Uncommon; possibly aquatic; northern Utah Euparyphus (4 or more species) Common; found in wet moss, algae, and on mud, in and beside small streams and ponds, widespread 16 Nemotelus (5 or more species) Common; one species found in hot springs; widespread Odontomyia (4 or more species) Common; occurring in muddy sluggish streams and ponds, feeding on algae or organic matter; presumably widespread Myxosargus (1 or more species) Uncommon; widespread Stratiomys (9 or more species) Common; found in a wide variety of ponds, streams, saline pools, and hot springs; widespread FAMILY: TABANIDAE (horse flies or deer flies) Fig 39 – Tabanus larva Morphology (larvae): Head capsule still apparent, but very small; Most with abdominal segments bearing encircling creeping welts, some of which have prominent tubercles (Fig 39, 2) Morphology (adults): Apical cell broadly open with R4 and R5 creating a V-shaped cell; Males holoptic, females dichoptic; Third antennal segment elongate Ecology: Predators; many live on the margins of deep water in silty substrates where they are burrowers, others live in gravel Utah Genera: Apatolestes (1 or more species) Widespread Chrysops (12 or more species) Abundant; widespread Pangonia (1 or more species) Widespread Sylvius (2 or more species) Widespread Atylotus (2 or more species) Widespread Haematopota (1 or more species) Presumably widespread Stenotabanus (1 or more species) Common; widespread Tabanus (28 species) Abundant; widespread INFRAORDER: MUSCOMORPHA (circular-seamed flies) Morphology (larvae): 17 Head and mouthparts reduced to mouth hooks which project forward, side-by-side and parallel to each other; Mouthparts not articulate laterally in a biting motion, but rather in opposition to each other, in dorsoventrally tearing motions Morphology (adults): Aristate antennae Rs bifurcate FAMILY: SYRPHIDAE (hover flies, flower flies, rat-tailed maggots) Fig 40 – Rat-tailed maggot Morphology (larvae): Aquatic forms have a very long projection bearing the terminal spiracles at the end of the abdomen; (This is superficially somewhat similar to Ptychopteridae, but Syrphids not have a sclerotized head.) Morphology (adults): Spurious vein that divides crossvein r-m; R veins sinuate; Most are mimics of stinging Hymenoptera Ecology: collectors in habitats very rich in organic matter, including in pools of urine and manure near cattle feedlots; others can be in more savory, but still lentic habitats Utah Genera: Chrysogaster (8 species) Larvae of this genus have been recorded as being aquatic although few if any have been collected in Utah Eristalis (10 species) Uncommon; occurring in shallow pools of generally polluted ponds; widespread Helophilus (9 species) Larvae of this genus have been reported as being aquatic although few if any have been collected in Utah Section: ACALYPTERATA Morphology (adults): Schyzophorous flies, without a transverse suture across mesonotum, without calypteres, without dorsal longitudinal suture on pedicel; 18 Greater ampulla absent FAMILY: Ephydridae (shore flies, brine flies) Fig 41 Morphology (larvae): Terminal abdominal segment tapered, often bearing a short to moderately long retractile respiratory tube bearing the spiracles (Fig 41) Morphology (adults): Lower face strongly projecting (in many genera); Humeral and subcostal breaks in C Ecology: usually near margins of water Shore flies have an incredible diversity of food habits which cross all functional feeding groups Utah Genera: SUBFAMILY Ephydrinae Coenia (4 species) Common; occurring in saline marsh ponds feeding on floating organic matter; widespread in lowlands Ephydra, several species including two abundant in the Great Salt Lake Hydropyrus (7 species) Abundant; occurring in saline pools and in Great Salt Lake; widespread Scatella (9 species) Abundant; occurring in saline and alkaline pools, and other ponds and pools; widespread over a wide elevational range Scatophila despecta (Haliday) Uncommon; one species known on wet rocks and in greenhouses; Kane County Setacera needhami Johansen Uncommon; apparently limited to fresh water; northern Utah SUBFAMILY Parydrinae Brachydeutera (1 or more species) Reported by G Musser (1959) from Glen Canyon area Larvae at edges of ponds Hyadina (3 or more species) Common; widespread Larvae feed on blue-green algae at stream or pond margins Ochthera mantis mantis (DeGeer) Abundant; saline and alkaline marsh pools; widespread Larvae in ponds, predators on midge larvae Pelina (3 or more species) Abundant; widespread Larvae feed on blue-green algae at lake or pond margins SUBFAMILY Notiphilinae 19 Dichaeta caudate (Fallen) Common; burrowers in freshwater lakes, streams and pools; widespread Hydrellia (4 or more species) Common; leaf miners in aquatic and sub aquatic plants, especially Potamogeton; widespread (Ilythea may occur in Utah.) Notiphila (10 species) Common; in silt in the bottom of ponds, lakes and streams, and obtain oxygen by inserting hollow spines in the roots of aquatic plants; widespread at lower elevations Paralimna punctipennis (Wiedemann) Uncommon; reported as occurring in Utah, larvae in mud at pond margins Typopsilopa atra (Loew) Uncommon; widespread Larvae is detritus at pond margins SUBFAMILY Psilopinae Allotrichoma (1 or species) Common; widespread Burrowers (One species known to breed in pig manure.) Athyroglossa (2 species) Uncommon; possibly occurring in damp earth along mountain streams; widespread Atissa litoralis (Cole) Uncommon; reported as occurring in saline ponds around Salt Lake City Clanoneurum americanum Cresson Uncommon, possibly salt marsh or leaf miners, northern Utah Discocerina (3 species) Uncommon, in moss or algae, widespread FAMILY: SCIOMYZIDAE (marsh flies) Morphology (larvae): External sclerotized portions of head capsule absent; Head reduced to an internal cephalopharyngeal skeleton of rather characteristic form of a sclerotized ventral arch below base of mouth hooks, its anterior margin usually toothed Posterior spiracular plates always distinctly separated whether mounted on a telescopic respiratory tube or not Anterior spiracles absent or bearing or more short or branched papillae; Posterior spiracles with openings usually arranged in parallel or radiating pattern; Body segments often extensively covered with short, fine spiracles that are only slightly elevated Morphology (adults): Prominent eyes and forward projecting antennae; Elongated second antennal segment (pedicel); Generally slender (0.5 – 1.0 cm); Yellowish to brownish (often), with mottled wing coloration Ecology: predatory or parasitc on slugs and freshwater snails Adults are nectar feeders Found in ponds, streams and marshes Utah Genera: 20 Tetanocera Fairly common in pools rich in organic matter and with muddy bottoms; probably widespread The larvae burrow in snails Dictya Reported from Glen Canyon by G Musser (1959) The larvae burrow in snails Section: CALYPTERATA Morphology (adults): Schyzophorous flies with calypteres, with longitudinal dorsal suture on pedicel, and with transverse suture on mesonotum; Greater ampulla present as bulbous swelling below wing base FAMILY: MUSCIDAE (house flies) Morphology (larvae): Maggots, lacking a defined head and few features elsewhere Morphology (adults): Four stripes, if thorax striped No meral bristles; Cu2 + 2A ending before hind margin of wing; A1 doesn’t reach wing margin; No fine hairs hanging from scutellum; Ecology: predators in both lentic and lotic habitats Utah Genera: Limnophora Common locally in some streams; otherwise, widespread 21 References: Edmunds, G F., Jr 1986 An annotated generic check-list of aquatic and semiaquatic insects of Utah University of Utah Unpublished class handout Hanson, W J 1982 Identification notes for aquatic entomology Utah State University Unpublished class handout Merritt, Cummings, and Berg 2008 Aquatic Insects of North America, 4th edition Nelson, C R 1998 Diptera University of Texas Unpublished class handout All photographs from C.R Nelson All photos from Invertebrate ID CD (Nelson, 2006) except Figures 1-3,11-13, 16, 22, & 40 Editorial History: Pre-2006: Class handouts from C.R Nelson (1998), consulting Edmunds (1986), and Hanson (1982) 2006: Compiled and revised by G Hughes and G Hughes 2008: edited, with additional information from Merritt, Cummings and Berg (2008), and addition of photographs by D J Betts File name: Diptera lab sheet 2008.doc 22 ... that divides crossvein r-m; R veins sinuate; Most are mimics of stinging Hymenoptera Ecology: collectors in habitats very rich in organic matter, including in pools of urine and manure near cattle... especially Potamogeton; widespread (Ilythea may occur in Utah. ) Notiphila (10 species) Common; in silt in the bottom of ponds, lakes and streams, and obtain oxygen by inserting hollow spines in. .. the current; compete for territory; they use silk to attach to substrates sometimes extending long lines to drift into the current before reeling themselves back in Utah Genera: Cnephia (4 species)