Root-maggot flies

 

 

Garden, plants:
garden      spring      spring'07      summer      summerflowers      weeds      autumn      winter      houseplants      euphorbia
Animals, insects in the garden: 
animals/links      spiders      butterflies      dragonflies      flies      hoverflies/1      hoverflies/2      wasps/bees      beetles      bugs      insects other 
Dutch dunes, countries:  
dunes      Australia      England1      2      France1      2       3      Germany      Ireland       Italy      Scotland      Spain      Slovenia      Czechia       Croatia 
home     links


Subpage flies:  Tachinidae   Blow-flies (Calliphoridae)   House flies (Muscidae)  Soldierflies (Stratiomyidae)  Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)    Small flies   Gnats  

 

To the Dutch website / Naar de Nederlandse website.Nederlands / Dutch
                                     

Root-maggot flies (Anthomyiidae)

Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)  Greek: anthos = flower en myia = fly 

There are many species in our garden. 
Characteristic: Small slender flies. Different colours. From yellow to black. 
Usually they are difficult to determine from a photo. Length from 4 up to 12 mm. The wing vein M1 is straight and the anal vein long.
They feed on nectar and pollen but there are also predaceous species on small flies. 
When you want to see more species, you can look
here
The larvae are feeding on plants or decaying organic matter. Sometimes they are miners.

German: Blumenfliegen

Anthomyia procellaris. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).  Anthomyia procellaris. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).
Phaonia errans. Family House flies (Muscidae).  Phaonia errans. Family House flies (Muscidae).
A = scutellum    B = scutum    C = prescutum

1, 2, 3 / 1, 2, 3, 4 = dorsal central hairs.

Difference between Root-Maggot flies (Anthomyiidae) and a house flies (Muscidae). The flies in these two families are quite similar. An important difference is that the root-maggot fly never has more than three dorsal central hairs on the scutum, while the house fly has three or four central dorsal hairs.

 

There are two important subfamilies. Anthomyiinae and Pegomyinae. These subfamilies are divided into tribes.  

Subfamily Anthomyiinae.  

Tribe Anthomyiini. 

Anthomyia procellaris Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)... Anthomyia procellaris Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Anthomyia procellaris Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).
Anthomyia procellaris. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

The differences however are very small with the Anthomyia pluvialis / Anthomyia parva Kabos   
A. pluvialis
has two names. The first name is the oldest. 
Pluvialis means in Latin rain: It seems to dance before it is raining. Eggs on rotting vegetation. The Limnophora tigrina Family Muscidae is a little bit similar'Photos 28-5-2010, 19-5-2010, 4-4-2011   
Joke van Erkelens: A. pluvialis has a black spot just above the top of the wing is separated from the larger spot above. The two spots of the A. procllaris look like one spot. On the hindtibia of A. procellaris about 5 to 9 dorsal hairs.

Botanophila fugax. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Female... Botanophila fugax. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Female. Botanophila fugax. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Female. Botanophila fugax. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Female  
Botanophila fugax. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

Photos female 11-8-2010. The females are more recognizable than the males. They are shiny dark gray. But the males of many other Root-Maggot Flies are similar. The fly in the photos may be Botanophila fugax. The hair on the legs are correct, but it is certainly not sure! 
Botanophila fugax. Not sure! Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Male
  Botanophila fugax. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Not sure! Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Male  Photos male 14-4-2013 and 4-9-2012.

Botanophila seneciella. Tribe Anthomyiini. Onderfamilie Anthomyiinae. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). .. Botanophila seneciella. Tribe Anthomyiini. Onderfamilie Anthomyiinae. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). . Botanophila seneciella. Tribe Anthomyiini. Onderfamilie Anthomyiinae. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).  
Botanophila seneciella. Tribe Anthomyiini. Onderfamilie Anthomyiinae. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

In the ragwort flowers you often see "foam cups". Under the foam are eggs of a fly. This time I saw also a fly. From a photograph it was not possible to identify the fly well. But I think this fly had laid the eggs on the flower.
 
I have sent some flower heads to Joke van Erkelens. In the flowers the eggs were already hatched into larvae.  She hoped the larvae would pupate and change in a fly. That is not easy, because they overwinter as a pupae. The pupae should not be too warm, not too humid, not too dry.
This year (2013) she has got one fly (a male). To the genitals, she could see, that it was a Botanophila seneciella. That's why I think the fly in the picture is also a Botanophila seneciella.

Photos 36-7-2012. Here more information in Dutch    
  

Hylemya nigrimana / Hylemya vagans Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae) .. Hylemya nigrimana / Hylemya vagans Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae) Hylemya nigrimana / Hylemya vagans Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)    
Hylemya nigrimana / Hylemya vagans. Tribe Anthomyiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

The photos are not so clear. Therefore I'm not entirely sure
. Hylemya nigrimana and Hylemya vagans are very similar.

 

Tribe Chirosiini. 

Egle spec. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). .. Egle spec. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). . Egle spec. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). . Egle spec. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). . Egle spec. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 
Egle spec. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).  Not in the garden, because there are no willows around, but in the dunes about 4 miles from our house.

The flowers in the picture are of a willow. There you can find these small flies in spring. Most Egle species are very small. They have long palps and a protruding underside of the head. Especially the males. But that is not visible when you see these small flies on the willow. There are also slightly larger species. Many Egles are not to identify from a photograph. 
The larvae are found in the seed pods of the willow. They pupate in the soil. There are now 10 known species in the Netherlands. Photos 31-3-2014.
Lasiomma spec. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)   
Lasiomma spec. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

Lasiomma species are often very similar. Here an example.
Photo 7-3-2011.  
Lasiomma seminitidum. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). .. Lasiomma seminitidum. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). . Lasiomma seminitidum. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 
Lasiomma seminitidum. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

Lasiomma seminitidum en Lasiomma anthomyinum are very similar. 
But from these flies I know it is a Lasiomma seminitidum. (Thanks Joke) Left the male (photo 19-3-2011) and under the female. (photo 3-7-2011)
This fly is new in the Netherlands. Probably, it is often confused with its well known relative.

Lasiomma seminitidum. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).  Lasiomma seminitidum. Tribe Chirosiini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 
  

Tribe Hydrophoriini.

Cabbage fly, cabbage root fly, root fly or turnip fly (Delia cf. radicum). Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). I'm not quite sure, in any case a Delia... Cabbage fly, cabbage root fly, root fly or turnip fly (Delia cf. radicum). Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). I'm not quite sure, in any case a Delia.. Cabbage fly, cabbage root fly, root fly or turnip fly (Delia cf. radicum). Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). I'm not quite sure, in any case a Delia.
Cabbage fly, cabbage root fly, root fly or turnip fly (Delia cf. radicum). Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). I'm not quite sure, in any case a Delia.

The eggs are deposited at the base of plants including cabbage. The larvae are  a pest of crops.
2 - 3 generations a year. Length 4 - 7 mm. 
A similar species is Delia platura. Photos 8-5-2013.

Koolvlieg (Delia cf. radicum). Tribe Hydrophoriini. Onderfamilie Anthomyiinae. Familie Bloemenvliegen (Anthomyiidae).Important: Tuft of hairs on the underside (at the beginning) of the hind thigh. Photo 19-4-2014.
Hydrophoria linogrisea Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Hydrophoria linogrisea Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Hydrophoria linogrisea Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)
Hydrophoria linogrisea. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

I haven't found much information. 
   
ydrophoria lancifer Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. ydrophoria lancifer Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). ydrophoria lancifer Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae) . ydrophoria lancifer Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)    
Hydrophoria lancifer. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

Features: The beginning of the wings is yellow. The prealar is long and the femurs are are dark (tibia yellowish) The wings of the fly on these photos look darker than on most images. Photos 4-9-2010.

Leucophora obtusa. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). .. Leucophora obtusa. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). . Leucophora obtusa. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). . Leucophora obtusa. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 
Leucophora obtusa. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

These flies can be  recognized by the shape of the head. Further determine from a picture is difficult. But Leucophora obtusa can now be determined. A ventral seta on the mid thigh. Scutellum with rows of hairs on the sides and all over very hairy ....

Like for example Nomada (cuckoo bees), they lay their eggs in nests of bees. Photos 28-3-2011.
  

Eustalomyia hilaris. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). .. Eustalomyia hilaris. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).   
Eustalomyia hilaris. Tribe Hydrophoriini. Subfamily Anthomyiinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

A white, blue fly. On the thorax a black stripe and black spots. The legs are dark. The Arista is long haired.
 This fly came out of a hole in the bee hotel. Like the Leucophora obtusa the larvae of this fly are a parasite of the larvae of bees.
Photos 4-7-2012.   


Subfamily Pegomyinae. 

Tribe Myopinini 

Calythea nigricans Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae) .. Calythea nigricans Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae) . Calythea nigricans Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)    
Calythea nigricans. Tribe Myopinini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). 

A small fly, which nevertheless strikes by the comparatively large eyes and the gray spots on the back and abdomen.
It is not often photographed in the Netherlands. I did not find much information.
Photos 11-4-2011.
Pegoplata spec. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Pegoplata spec. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Pegoplata spec. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)   
Pegoplata spec. Tribe Myopinini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

In May there were many in the garden. Especially in the pear tree. They are small flies. About 5 mm. Photos 10-5-2010.

 

Tribe Pegomyini.

Emmesomyia socia Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Emmesomyia socia Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Emmesomyia socia Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)
Emmesomyia socia. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).
It can also be Emmesomyia grisea.

The difference with the females are the hairs on the posterior rear thigh (E. grisea has these hairs. E. socia has not) Thanks to Joke and Niels-Jan.
When it saw me, it hide itself on the underside of a leaf. I still succeeded to take a few pictures.
The shins are light brown. The wings have a light brown tint. Photos 21-10-2011.
   
Mycophaga testacea, synonyms: Mycophaga fungorum, Mycophaga rufiventris. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)... Mycophaga testacea, synonyms: Mycophaga fungorum, Mycophaga rufiventris. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Mycophaga testacea, synonyms: Mycophaga fungorum, Mycophaga rufiventris. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Mycophaga testacea, synonyms: Mycophaga fungorum, Mycophaga rufiventris. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).
Mycophaga testacea, synonyms: Mycophaga fungorum, Mycophaga rufiventris. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

This fly has orange legs. The lower part of the legs is dark. The abdomen is also orange. The thorax is gray with dark stripes. For a root-maggot fly, it is quite large. About 8, 9 mm long. The arista is hairy. See detail photo.
The larvae of M. testacea live in mushrooms. However, they are also found in other organic material. Whether they also live in organic material or that they have been from the mushroom, is not entirely clear.
Photos 15-02-2012. Found in the scullery. I do not know it a hibernating fly, or that the larva has been in the plants, in the scullery.
  

Pegomya spec.
Pegomya spec. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

The larvae seem to cause "foam cups" on Common Ragwort.
Photo 22-8-2008.     
Pegomya spec. Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Pegomya spec. Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae) Pegomya spec. Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)   
Pegomya spec. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

A small fly. The buds of ivy are 4 mm wide. It was a little hazy. Therefore, the photos are not very sharp. Photos 29-9-2010. 
In 20011, I have taken more photos.

Possible Pegomya bicolor or Pegomya solennis. To see this, you need a good view of the length of the prealar and the colour of the palps. These species are common in the Netherlands and are leafminers. But there are more similar species. Those species are miners on mushrooms. With thanks to Joke van Erkelens.

Pegomya spec. Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)  Pegomya spec. Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae) Photos 4-11-2011.

Pegomya winthemi. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).. Pegomya winthemi. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)Pegomya winthemi. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)   
Pegomya winthemi. Tribe Pegomyini. Subfamily Pegomyinae. Family Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae). Photos 30-8-2010.

 

A beautiful site with much information:   The Garden Safari   Informatie about flies:  www.diptera.info
A site that explains the construction of a fly (click on atlas): Anatomical Atlas of Flies      

 

 

 Nederlands / Dutch                                                  

 

                      

 

Subpage flies:  Tachinidae   Blow-flies (Calliphoridae)   House flies (Muscidae)  Soldierflies (Stratiomyidae)  Root-Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae)    Small flies   Gnats  

Subpagina wespen, bijen, hommels: Parasitica, Ichneumonidae   Sawflies symphyta    Bumblebees    Bee hotel   

 

W3Counter Web Stats

 

 

-0-0-0-