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Diptera (True Flies)

Clogmia albipunctata (Filter Fly)

Order: Diptera Family: Psychodidae Genus: Clogmia Clogmia albipunctata is commonly called the filterfly, mothmidge or mothfly (1, 2) and belongs to the Suborder Nematocera (long-horned flies) within the Order Diptera (flies and mosquitoes).  There are 24 families within Nematocera in North America (3).  Nematocera are unique among the Diptera for having many segmented antennae that are often …

Promachus species (Giant Robber Fly)

Order: Diptera Family: Asilidae Genus: Promachus Flies of the Family Asilidae are known as Robber Flies and are fierce predators.  These flies most often capture their prey in flight and do not hesitate to attack butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, bees, nor wasps.  The genus Promachus is widespread across the United States, and species within this genus …

Taeniaptera trivittata (Stilt-legged Fly)

Order: Diptera Family: Micropezidae Genus: Taeniaptera Flies of the Family Micropezidae are commonly known as the stilt-legged flies because their middle and hind legs are unusually long.  Not much is known about this curious family.  Thirty-three species occur in North America, but many more are found in the tropics (1).  Micropezidae larvae feed on dung, decaying vegetation and other …