Nematocera suborder: Long-horned Flies

These are so named because of the big, hairy antennae of the male flies.   They are a much smaller group than the Brachycera (Short-horned Flies), but much more disparate.  Apparently they have not been studied as much as the Brachycera:  Marshall (2006) thinks they will eventually be divided among more suborders.

Tipulid Crane Flies (Tipulinae subfamily, Tipulidae family, infraorder Tipulomorpha, Nematocera suborder)

Tipulinae subfamily

The Nematocera suborder contains some of our most familiar biting flies, such as Mosquitoes and Midges, although the large Crane Flies are harmless to humans.

Dr. Chen W. Young, Associate Curator of the Section of Invertebrate Zoology of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA has provided the crane fly sex and species classifications for all of these flies except the second and third from the left in the top row (which I have added since then).

Female Crane Fly (Tipula genus, Beringotipula subgenus, borealis species), White Pines Natural Area, Chatham County, NC, 9/25/05.	Tipulid Crane Fly, Durham, 4/10/06.  Probably the same species as the crane fly at left.	Tipulid Crane Fly, same species.  Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/20/06	Mating Tipulid Crane flies, Durham, NC  4/2/07.  You can see the pin-cushion pin-like halteres on both: these are vestigial wings believed by some scientists to perform a balancing function.

Male Crane Fly (Tipula genus, Shummelia subgenus, probably herrmannia species), Mt. Mitchell State Park, NC, 7/9/05.  You can see a haltere (vestigial wing) near the right wing: it looks like a stalk with a pea-green club on the end.	Closeup of a crane fly, showing the halteres (vestigial wings), which look like straight pins.  Durham, NC, 11/9/10.  Probably Tipula genus.	Female Crane Fly (Tipula genus,  Platytipula subgenus, probably ultima species), Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 10/15/05.  This fly seemed different from the others in this row.	Tipulid Crane Fly, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 10/17/07	Crane flies mating, two of hundreds that day.  Probably Tipula genus.

Crane fly (Nephrotoma genus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/30/06	Crane fly (Brachypremna dispellens), Fallingwater Cascade Trail, Bedford County, VA, 6/11/16.  ID thanks to Seth Burgess.	Crane fly larva, Durham, NC, 2/7/21.  Tentative ID thanks to Ken Wolgemuth.	Same crane fly larva

Limoniid Crane Fly (Limoniinae subfamily, Tipulidae family, infraorder Tipulomorpha, Nematocera suborder)

Female Crane Fly (Epiphragma solatrix, Limoniinae subfamily), Durham, 7/28/05.  Note the mottled wings.	Mosquito (Toxorhina magna), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/30/21.  ID thanks to John F. Carr.

Mosquitos (family Culicidae, infraorder Culicomorpha, Nematocera suborder)

The Common Mosquito is a well-known parasite that sometimes passes such diseases as West Nile Virus to humans.  On the other hand, the Elephant Mosquito is a predator which feeds on smaller arthropods.  Mosquitos experience complete metamorphosis, i.e., they go through a pupa stage in which they experience significant anatomical changes.

Gallinipper (Psorophota ciliata, tribe Aedini)

Gallinipper, apparently brought by Hurricane Florence, Durham, NC, 9/30/18	Gallinipper, Durham, NC, 9/30/18	Gallinipper, filled with blood (not mine), Durham, NC, 6/3/17	Gallinipper,  Cypress Gardens, Berkeley County, SC, 7/27/08.

Common Mosquito (Genus Culex, tribe Culicini, subfamily Culicinae)

Adult mosquito emerging from pupa.  Durham, NC, 9/8/06.  The dark objects on the right are probably mosquito pupae.  These appeared in a puddle near my neighborhood swamp.	Adult mosquito with foot on exuviae, Durham, NC, 9/8/06	Mosquito larvae, Durham, NC, 11/1/07.   This is just a subset of a ball of a very large group of such larvae.  They appeared in a large puddle at the edge of my neighborhood swamp.	Mosquito larvae, Durham, 7/27/06.  Note how bubbles come from the tail ends of the larvae.

Mosquito, Durham, NC, 10/22/08	Mosquito pupa, still attached to its partially dismembered larval exoskeleton.  Jordan Lake (near NC-751 bridge), Chatham County, NC, 11/3/11

Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus, Aedini tribe)

Most likely this species, recently introduced into the USA.  Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 10/16/12.  It is considered to be invasive and a transmitter of many serious viral infections.

Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites rutilis, subfamily Toxorhynchitinae)

Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites rutilus), Third Fork Creek Trail, Durham, NC, 6/8/12	Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites rutilus),  Durham, NC, 10/3/07, about 15 mm long not including legs.

Midges (family Chironomidae, infraorder Culicomorpha, Nematocera suborder)

Male Midge, Durham, 10/28/05.  Both male midges and mosquitoes have prominent plumose antennae and do not bite.	Male midge, Durham, NC, 5/17/08.  The plumose antennae are especially prominent here.	Male midge, Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC   10/1/06	Male midge, Durham, NC, 4/5/11	Male midge, Durham, NC, 2/22/12	Female midge,, Durham, NC, 2/12/17	Female midge, Durham, NC, 6/1/20	Male Midge, Bath, NC, 2/17/06.	Midge, Durham, NC, 3/15/12, with anomalous antennae

Fungus Gnats (Mycetophylidae family, Sciarioidea superfamily, Bibionomorpha infraorder, Nematocera suborder)

Fungus gnat, Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08	Probably a predatory fungus gnat (Macrocera genus), Durham, NC, 3/25/14.  ID thanks to John F. Carr.	Fungus gnat, Durham, NC, 5/15/23

Dark-winged Fungus Gnats (Sciaridae family, Sciarioidea superfamily, Bibionomorpha infraorder, Nematocera suborder)

Dark-winged Fungus Gnat (Odontosciara nigra), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 5/15/19. ID thanks to Ken Wolgemuth.	Another Dark-winged Fungus Gnat, Durham, NC, 5/7/12

Gall Midges and Wood Midges (Cecidomyiidae family, Sciarioidea superfamily, Bibionomorpha infraorder, Nematocera suborder)

Gall midge (tribe Cecidomyiidi), Durham, NC, 1/10/21	Gall midge (tribe Cecidomyiidi, Porricondylinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 1/7/21.  T	Gall midge (tribe Cecidomyiidi, Porricondylinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 1/14/22	Gall midge (tribe Cecidomyiidi), Durham, NC, 1/9/20.	Gall midge (tribe Cecidomyiidi), Durham, NC, 1/10/20	Male gall midge, about 2 mm long.  Durham, NC, 7/23/10

March Flies (Bibionidae family, Bibionomorpha infraorder, Nematocera suborder)

Genus Bibio

Female march fly, Durham, NC, 4/8/09	March flies mating, Durham, NC, 3/29/09. Mating in this species is a messy affair, looking more like typical predation.	Same arch flies, mating, Durham, NC< 3/30/22

Genus Dilophus?

Male march fly, Durham, NC, 3/30/18.  Could be B. Holtii.	Male march fly, Durham, NC, 4/5/09	Male march fly, Durham, NC, 4/11/15

Love Bugs (Plecia genus)

Love Bug (Plecia nearctica), Gulf Shores National Seashore, Ocean Springs, MS, 10/14/10	Love Bug (Plecia nearctica), Durham, NC, 5/4/08.

Moth Flies (Psychodidae family, Psychomorpha infraorder, Nematocera suborder)

Moth Fly (Psychoda genus maybe, Psychodinae subfamily), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/9/06.  This fly has serrate antennae.

Brachycera suborder: Short-horned Flies

These flies have been the object of intense study, resulting in many species classifications.  One interesting characteristic of many, if not all, members of this suborder is sexual dimorphism in their eyes: the two composite eyes in the males are large and touch each other, while the females' eyes are smaller and separated.  Their antennae are aristate.

Deer Flies (genus Chrysops, tribe Chrysopsini, subfamily Chrysopsinae, family Tabanidae, infraorder Tabanomorpha, suborder Brachycera)

Deer Fly, Durham, NC, 7/1/14	Deer fly, caught while buzzing around my head.  I later released it, although another that bit my leg was less fortunate.  Pettigrew State Park, Cresswell, NC, 4/28/09	Deer fly, Congaree National Park, Richland County, SC, 4/30/11

Horse Flies (genus Tabanus, tribe Tabanini, subfamily Tabaninae, family Tabanidae, infraorder Tabanomorpha, suborder Brachycera)

These are big flies and some species deliver a nasty bite.  Some are bold, which is good for the photographer who notices them, and bad for the one who doesn't!

Male horse fly (probably Tabanus abdominalis), up close, Durham, NC, 7/23/14. It was unable to fly, but did move around.	The same horse fly (Tabanus abdominalis?)	Female Horse Fly (genus Tabanus) in flight, near Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC.  This large fly was buzzing very loudly and hovered in the air long enough to be photographed on 9/11/05, probably hoping to bite me (hence the guess about female sex).  Genus ID thanks to Josh Rose.	Male Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus), Durham, NC, 9/20/11	Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus), Durham, NC, 7/18/14	Male Horse Fly (Tabanus genus), Durham, 9/6/05. Like the two next to it, this fly was a full inch long.  This is a much more typical angle at which horse flies are viewed (or pictured).  No wonder I didn't see the connection at first!

Horse Fly (Tabanus fulvulus), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 6/6/10	Horse Fly (Tabanus fulvulus), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 6/15/06.	Horse Fly (Tabanus fulvulus), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

Male horse fly (Tabanus molestus, Jordan Lake Gameland, Chatham County, NC, 6/19/07.  Species ID thanks to "JBurger."	Horse fly (Tabanus genus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/15/06.  This fly was missing most of its left wing and was buzzing around aimlessly on the ground at the time.  It was so worn that it had lost its species-specific visual features.	Horse fly (Tabanus trimaculatus), Durham, NC, 7/2/08

Striped Horse Fly (Tabanus lineola)

Striped Horse Fly (Tabanus lineola), only a half inch long.  Copyright © Mary Ross Withrow

Snipe Flies (Rhagionidae family, Rhagionoidea superfamily, infraorder Tabanomorpha, suborder Brachycera)

Chrysopilus genus

Male Golden-backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 4/25/05.   Note how eyes connect.	Female Golden-backed Snipe Fly, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/25/07	Female Golden-backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus), Penny's Bend, Durham County, NC, 5/5/06	Female Golden-backed Shipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus), photographed recently in western Massachusetts by Steve, who sent me this picture.

Male Ornate Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus ornatus), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/24/07	Female Ornate Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus ornatus), Durham, 6/17/05.	Apparently leucistic male Ornate Snipe Fly, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 5/20/10

Rhagio genus

Common Snipe Flies (Rhagio mystaceus) mating, Craggy Gardens, Macon County, NC, 7/8/05.  The male is on top: note that his eyes cover more territory than do the female's.  Thanks to Josh Rose for family ID.  Confirmed by Marshall (2006), p. 466.	Common Snipe Fly (Rhagio mystaceus), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC	Snipe fly (Rhagio hirtus).  Actually seen near a major road at the beginning of the trail leading to Dismal Falls, Giles County, VA, 6/14/11.  Species ID not certain.

Soldier Flies (Stratiomyidae family, Stratioidea superfamily, Stratiomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Soldier fly (Psellidotus genus, Stratiomyini tribe). ID thanks to Martin Hauser. Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/4/23	Female soldier fly (maybe Microchrysa polita), Durham, NC, 8/18/12.  Tentative ID thanks to Shannon Donavan.	Male soldier fly (Microchrysa polita), Durham, NC, 8/22/12	Soldier fly (Sargus fasciatus), Durham, 8/10/15.  ID thanks to Norm Woodley.	Soldier fly (Odontomyia cincta), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/26/21.  Genus ID thanks to Vassily Belov.  Species ID thanks to Norm Woodley.	Soldier Fly, Carolina Beach, NC, 9/17/07	Soldier Fly Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 3/16/06.  A relatively large fly, about 12 mm long.	Soldier fly (Psellidotus hieroglyphicus) on Sticky Willy seedheads, Durham, NC, 5/5/22	Soldier Fly (Pselliodotus genus?), White Pines Nature Preserve, Chatham County, NC, 4/16/06.  ID uncertain.	Fly larva, possibly Stratiomys genus. Durham, NC, 9/8/06.  Found in a deep puddle.

Stiletto Flies (Therevidae family, Asiloidea superfamily, infraorder Asilomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Stiletto fly (Spiriverpa genus, Therevinae subfamily), Therevidae family, Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 7/2/10	Stiletto Fly (Thereva comata).  ID thanks to Bob Biagi.

Robber Flies (Asilidae family, Asiloidea superfamily, Asilomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Mallophora genus, subfamily Asilinae

Southern Bee Killer (Mallophora orcina), Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 9/23/15	Southern Bee Killer (Mallophora orcina, subfamily Asilinae), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 10/12/06.

Efferia genus, subfamily Asilinae

Male Robber Fly (Efferia albibarbis), Fort Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover County, NC, 6/22/06	Male Robber Fly (Efferia pogonias, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 7/9/06	Robber fly, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 9/9/12	Robber fly (Efferia aestuans), Durham, NC, 8/13/20	Robber fly, Durham, NC, 7/13/14

Promachus genus, subfamily Asilinae

These are the largest robber flies.

Robber fly (Promachus rufipes), Durham, NC, 8/15/12	Mating robber flies (Promachus rufipes), Durham, NC, 6/29/22	Mating Robber Flies (Promachus rufipes, subfamily Asilinae).  These two showed up on the windshield wipers of one of our cars in Durham, NC on 8/8/03.	Robber fly (Promachus rufipes) with Blue Dasher prey, Durham, NC, 7/1/19	Female Robber Fly (Promachus rufipes), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, 8/17/05.

Robber Fly subduing a hornet: note the hornet's stinger.  Duke Forest Gate #12, Durham, NC, 8/23/06.	Female Robber Fly, with prey, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC 8/24/05.  Note the fat abdomen: this fly has been doing well.	Robber fly (Promachus rufipes) with grasshopper prey, Durham, NC, 7/16/14

Trigonomiminae subfamily

Rhododendron Robber Fly (Holcocephala genus), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/19.  ID thanks to Ken Wolgemuth.

Stichopogoninae subfamily

Robber fly (Stichopogon trifasciatus?), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 6/24/08	Robber fly (Stichopogon trifasciatus?), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 8/27/12. Smallest robber fly I know.

Leptogastrinae subfamily

Robber fly (Leptogaster genus), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 7/14/07,  OK thanks to Martin Hauser.

Unknown genera

Robber fly, Durham, NC, 6/17/07

Laphria genus, subfamily Laphriinae

Robber Fly (Laphria divisor), Cox Mountain Trail, Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 5/6/07		Robber fly (Laphria divisor) with ladybug beetle prey, Piedmont Wildlife Center, Durham, NC, 5/8/10	Robber fly (Laphria divisor), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 5/31/11	Robber fly (Laphria canis), Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

Ommatius genus, Asilinae subfamily

No common name (Ommatius tibialis), Durham, NC, 7/17/21	No common name (Ommatius tibialis), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 6/25/08

Diogmites genus, Dasypogoninae subfamily

Mating Robber flies (Diogmites neoternatus), Flat River Impoundment, Durham, NC, 7/17/11	Robber fly (Diogmites neoternatus), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 7/9/08	Robber fly (Diogmites neoternatus) with bumblebee prey, Jordan Lake Gamelands, 7/8/14.	Robber fly (Diogmites neoternatus), Jordan Lake Gamelands (east), Chatham County, NC, 7/12/15	Robber fly (Diogmites neoternatus), Durham, 8/2/04.   ID thanks to Josh Rose, then of Duke University.

Long-legged Flies (Family Dolichopodidae, superfamily Empidoidea, infraorder Muscomorpha, suborder Brachycera)

These colorful flies average ⅛ inch long. 

Condylostylus caudatus, Sciapodinae subfamily

Long-legged fly with blood-filled Gallinipper prey, Durham, NC, 7/15/20	Long-legged fly, a Jordan Lake Gameland, Chatham County, NC, 6/19/07	Long-legged Fly with bee, Al Buehler Trail, Duke University, Durham, 8/23/06

Female long-legged fly (Condylostylus caudatus), Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 10/14/16	Long-legged fly, Durham, 6/20/05	Long-legged Flies, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/25/09	Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

Long-legged fly (genus Condylostylus, subfamily Sciapodinae), Third Fork Trail, Durham, 9/5/11.	Long-legged fly, Durham, NC, 8/16/08	Long-legged fly, Asheville, 7/7/05

Diaphorus genus, Diaphorinae subfamily

Long-legged fly, Durham, NC, 5/29/08.

Hydrophorus genus, Hydrophorinae subfamily

Long-legged flies (Hydrophorus genus), skating around on the surface of a puddle near the lake's edge, Ebenezer Church Recreation Area, Chatham County, NC, 10/7/11

Black Scavenger Flies (Sepsidae family, Sciomyzoidea superfamily, Muscomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Black scavenger fly (Sepsis punctum), Durham, NC, 4/9/20. Family ID thanks to John F. Carr.  Genus ID confirmed by Owen Lonsdale.	Black scavenger fly (Sepsis punctum), Durham, NC, 5/4/21.  Genus ID thanks to Hexapoda.

Mydas Flies (Mydidae family, Asiloidea superfamily, Asilomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Mydas Fly (family Mydidae), Durham, 7/15/05. This fly was so large that I mistook it for a wasp at first.	Mydas Fly, New Hanover County Arboretum, Wilmington, NC, 6/23/06

Scuttle Flies (Phoridae family, Platypezoidea superfamily, section Aschiza, Muscomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Mating scuttle flies (most likely Diplonevra nitidula), Durham, NC, 12/27/14	Mating scuttle flies (most likely Diplonevra nitidula), Durham, NC, 11/3/20

Flower Flies (Syrphidae family, Syrphoidea superfamily, section Aschiza, Muscomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Flower Flies (also known as hoverflies) not only mimic bees, but wasps and soldier flies!  They are far more abundant than any of these economically important pollinators, and the most taxonomically complex of the Dipterans represented on this page.

See more photos of Flower Flies (and Bee Flies).

Close-up of a flower fly's aristate antennae: note the hairlike projection coming out of the right antenna.

Eristalinae Subfamily

Merodon genus (Merodontini tribe)

Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris), Durham, NC, 5/2/20	Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris), Raulson Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 4/13/07

Eristalis genus (Eristaliina sub-tribe, Eristaliini tribe)

Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/1/21	Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax), seen in my local marsh in Durham, NC, 9/23/12	Most likely a Drone fly (Eristalis tenax, Eristalinae subfamily), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 10/11/06.   This was a relatively large fly that flew wildly about, somewhat like a Yellow Jacket.	Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax), a relatively large flower fly that looks very much like a honey bee.  Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, NC, 11/11/10	Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax), Durham, NC, 10/11/24

Flower fly (Eristalis dimidiata), Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, NC, 11/11/10	Flower fly (Eristalis dimidiata), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/20/06	Hoverfly (Eristalis dimidiata) on Frost Asters, Durham, NC, 10/22/24

Transverse Flower Fly (Eristalis transversa), Flat River Impoundment, Durham, NC, 10/4/10.	Transverse Flower Fly (Eristalis transversa), Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, NC, 11/11/10	Transverse Flower fly (Eristalis transversa), New Hanover Botanical Garden, Wilmington, NC, 7/17/04

Anasimyia genus (subtribe Helophilina, Eristalini tribe)

Flower fly (Anasimyia grisescens), Durham, NC, 8/10/13.  Revised (updated) Tentative ID thanks to Evan Dankowicz.  Partial synonym: (Lejops chrysostomus); old ID thanks to Martin Hauser.	Flower fly (Anasimyiagenus), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/1/21

Eristalinus genus (Eristalina subtribe, Eristalini tribe)

Flower fly (Eristalinus aeneus), Greenville, NC, 11/12/10	Flower fly (Eristalinus aeneus), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 7/12/12.  ID thanks to John F. Carr.

Meromacrus genus, Eristalina subtribe, Eristalini tribe, Eristalinae subfamily

Flower fly (Meromacrus acutus, Eristalinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 9/23/12

Helophilus genus, Helophiliina sub-genus, Eristalini tribe, Eristalinae subfamily

Flower fly (Helophilus fasciatus), Durham, NC, 3/31/20	Flower Fly  (Helophilus fasciatus, Eristalinae subfamily), NC Botanical Garden, 11/06/04.  Many species of flower flies have striped honeybee-like abdomens, but there are many variations on this basic theme.	Flower fly (Helophilus fasciatus), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/20/06	Flower fly (maybe Helophilus fasciatus), a on Southern Magnolia, Durham, NC, 5/28/16

Milesia genus (Philippimytiina sub-genus, Milesiini tribe)

Virginia Hoverfly (Milesia virginiensis), Durham, NC, 6/1/14	Virginia Flower Fly (Milesia virginiensis, subfamily Eristalinae),  Johnston Mill, Orange County, NC, 7/1/06.   Note the flattened abdomen, a characteristic apparently peculiar to syrphid flies.	Virginia Flower Fly (Milesia virginiensis), Durham, NC, 10/20/08

Blera genus (Milesiini tribe)

Flower fly (Blera badia), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/15/10. ID thanks to Martin Hauser.

Syrphid Fly (Temnostoma balyras, subtribe Philippimyiina, tribe Milesiini)

Syrphid Fly (Temnostoma balyras), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/11/07

Orthonevra genus (Brachyopina subtribe, Brachyopini tribe)

Flower fly (Orthonevra genus, bellula species group), Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 5/22/15. ID thanks to Zachary Dankowicz.

Chrysogaster genus (Brachyopina subtribe, Brachypini tribe)

Flower fly, Durham, NC, 2/15/13	Flower fly, Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 5/8/07

Sphiximorpha genus (Cerioidini tribe)

Syrphid fly, Durham, 10/24/05.  It looks somewhat like a Potter Wasp at first glance, but the big eyes and prominent maxillary palps give it away.  Thanks to Eric Eaton for the ID.  Confirmed by Marshall (2006), p. 479.   NOTE: this classification is not considered to be valid by the ITIS: this applies to the entire genus Sphiximorpha.

Spilomyia genus

Flower fly (Spilomyia texana), Durham, NC, 5/21/19. Species ID thanks to Bill Dean, confirmed by Martin Hauser.	Flower fly (Spilomyia fusca), relatively large, buzzing loudly.  The species is common in the Northeast.  Tanawha Trail, NC, 8/31/10.	Flower fly (Spilomyia longicornis), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 11/5/11

Syrphinae Subfamily

Syrphus genus

Flower Fly (Syrphus rectus), Boone, Watauga County, 8/31/05.	Hoverfly (Syrphus rectus), Durham, NC, 4/5/24

Eupeodes genus, maybe latifasciatus

Flower fly (Eupeodes genus, maybe latifasciatus species), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 11/9/23

Pseudodoros genus

Flower fly (Pseudodoros clavatus) on a Whitemouth Dayflower on the Ft. Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover County, NC, 8/12/11	Flower fly (Pseudodoros clavatus), Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, NC, 11/11/10

Ocyptamus genus

Flower fly, Durham, NC, 10/2/19	Flower fly hovering, Durham, NC, 9/14/16. Genus ID thanks to Bill Dean.

Allograpta genus

Common Oblique Syrphid Fly (Allograpta obliqua), Durham, NC, 7/2/23

Toxomerus genus

Flower fly (Toxomerus geminatus), Durham, NC, 3/24/20	Toxomerus Hoverfly (Toxomerus geminatus), Durham, 4/15/05.	Flower fly (Toxomerus geminatus), Durham, NC, 5/9/19	Hoverfly (Toxomerus geminatus), Durham, NC, 10/22/24	Flower fly (Toxomerus genus), Durham, NC, 3/7/20.

Mating flower flies (Toxomerus marginatus), with all but the wings of one obscured. Durham, 6/16/08	Mating flower flies (Toxomerus marginatus), Durham, NC, 7/18/09

Syrphid Fly Larvae

Syrphid fly (Epistrophella emarginata) larva, Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 7/3/07.  Species name thanks to Even Dankowicz. Family ID thanks to John R. Maxwell.	Hoverfly larva swallowing an aphid, Durham, NC, 11/30/20

Bee Flies (Bombyliidae family, Asiloidea superfamily, Asilomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

These prey on the larvae of solitary bees.  All normal female solitary bees are capable of reproduction.   Large Bee Flies are most numerous where these small bees are found, which is mainly very close to the ground, where the bees emerge from holes to look for food.

IDs based on Marshall (2006) pp. 457-459.  See more photos of Bee Flies.

Bombyliinae subfamily

An amusing article about a U.K. Bombylius major irruption recently (4/16/12) appeared in the Daily Mail titled Invasion of the beesquitoes! The scary-looking inch-long monsters buzzing the UK's gardeners .

Maybe not a Greater Bee fly (Bombylius major), but ID is elusive.  Durham, NC, 4/10/20. Sprinkled with pine pollen.	Greater Bee Fly (Bombylius major), Santee NWR, Orangeburg County, SC, 3/26/06	Greater Bee Fly, Museum of Life & Science (outdoors), 4/20/07	Bee fly, (Systoechus vulgaris), Durham, 9/28/06	Bomber Fly (Heterostylum robustum), Flat River Impoundment, Durham, NC, 8/15/10	Small bee fly (Aldrichia ehrmanii, Conophorini tribe), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/10/14. ID thanks to Joel Kits .

Exoprosopinae subfamily

Bee fly (Exoprosopa fascipennis), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 6/24/08	Bee fly (Exoprosopa fasciata), Ft. Fisher, New Hanover County, NC, 9/16/07

Anthracinae subfamily

Bee fly, Durham, NC, 6/30/14	Bee fly (Xenox tigrinus), Flat River Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 7/17/11	Bee Fly (Xenox tigrinus), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/20/10	Bee fly (Xenox tigrinus, tribe Anthracini), Durham, NC, 7/15/08	Bee fly (Anthrax irroratus, subfamily Anthracinae), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/17/06.	Bee fly, Jordan Lake Gamelands, Chatham County, NC, 12/29/14

Bee Fly (Anthrax georgicus), Durham, 6/2/06.	Bee Fly (Anthrax analis), Carolina Beach State Park, 4/28/05.  Contrary to what its common name might suggest, the larvae of these flies prey on beetle larvae.  Note the similarity of its wings to those of the Large Bee Fly.	Bee fly (Chrysanthrax cypris, tribe Villini), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 6/21/07	Bee fly (probably Villini tribe), Fort Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover County, NC, 9/16/07.  An unusually small bee fly, with a wingspread of about 10 mm.

Ecliminae subfamily

Bee fly (Lepidophora lepidocera), Durham, NC, 5/26/22	Same bee fly (Lepidophora lepidocera)	Bee fly (Lepidophora lepidocera), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/12/13	Bee fly (Lepidophora lepidocera), Durham, NC, 7/4/12	Same bee fly (Lepidophora lepidocera)

Poecilognathinae subfamily

Bee fly (Poecilognathus punctipennis), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 10/22/14	Bee fly (Poecilognathus punctipennis) on a Purple False Foxglove flower, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 9/26/17	Four bee flies (Poecilognathus punctipennis) on an aster, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 9/28/10

Dance Flies (family Empididae, superfamily Empidoidea, Asilomorpha infraorder, Brachysera suborder)

Dance Fly (family Empididae), Penny's Bend Nature Pres, Perve, Durham County, NC, 3/30/07	Dance Fly, Farrington Point, Chatham County, NC, 3/16/08

Hybotid Dance Flies (family Hybotidae, superfamily Empidoidea, Asilomorpha infraorder, Brachysera suborder)

Male dance fly (Hybotinae subfamily), Superfamily ID thanks to Bill Dean, subfamily ID thanks to John F. Carr.

Rust Flies (Psilidae family, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

Rust fly (Loxocera cylindrica). Genus ID thanks to Ross Hill.  Species ID thanks to Chris Angell.  Durham, 4/21/17.

Tachinid Flies (Tachinidae family, Oestroidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

Tachina Flies (Trichopoda genus, Galactomyia subgenus, subfamily Phasiinae)

Tachina Fly (Trichopoda pennipes), Piney Woods Park, Durham, NC  9/23/17	Tachina Fly  (Trichopoda pennipes), Durham, NC, 6/30/21	Tachina Fly  (Trichopoda pennipes), Durham, 7/5/05.   A parasitic fly that preys on true bugs.  Appeared at edge of swamp.	Tachina Fly  (Trichopoda pennipes),  Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC,  10/23/05	Tachina Fly  (Trichopoda lanipes), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 9/29/06

Tachinid fly (Xanthomelanodes arcuatus, Tricopodini tribe), Durham, NC, 5/30/09	Fly (Phasia aurulans Phasiini tribe), Mountain Lake, Giles County, VA, 6/13/11.  ID thanks to Aaron Schusteff.	Tachinid fly (Trichopoda lanipes), Durham, NC, 5/30/21. Genus ID thanks to Zachary Dankowicz . Species ID thanks to John F. Carr.

Deopalpus genus, Tachinini tribe, Tachininae subfamily

Tachinid Fly (Deopalpus genus), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 8/28/10	Tachinid fly (Deopalpus genus), Durham, NC, 6/19/09

Archytas apicifer, subfamily Tachininae

Tachinid fly (Archytas apicifer), Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, NC, 7/17/14	Tachinid Fly (Archytas apicifer, subfamily Tachininae), White Rock Mountain, Macon County, NC, 8/9/05.  This fly was the size of a bumblebee; in fact, I first thought it was one.  This fly was on the move and probably looking for prey, although predators supplement their diet with nectar sometimes.	Tachinid Fly (possibly Archytas apicifer ), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 8/28/06

Tachinid flies, Caldwell County, NC, just off Blue Ridge Parkway, NC, around Milepost 296, 8/5/08.  I'm guessing that this is a courtship ritual with a would-be interloper.  This species was abundant in this area.

Hystricia genus

Beelike Tachinid Fly, (Hystricia abrupta, subfamily Tachininae),  Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, NC, 8/19/04.  Larvae of this large fly parasitize other insects.  The characteristic long hairs on the abdomen identify it as a parasite of other insects.

Tachina genus

Tachinid Fly (Tachina genus subfamily Tachininae), Durham, 7/13/06

Other Tachinid Flies

Tachinid Fly, Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, 8/11/05.  This fly is a scavenger and about twice the size of a housefly.

Gonia frontosa (Goniini tribe, Exoristinae subfamily)

Tachinid Fly, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, 3/13/07	Another Tachinid Fly, same general area	Tachinid Fly, Raven Rock State Park, Harnett County, NC, 3/12/06, in flight.

Blowflies or Blue/Green Bottle Flies (Calliphoridae family, Oestroidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

Blue Bottle Fly, Durham, 11/4/05.	Green Bottle Fly, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/16/07

Fruit Flies (Tephritidae family, Tephritoidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

These are much bigger than the Drosophilidae and are crop pests.

Fruit Fly (Eutreta novaeboracensis), Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, NC, 8/11/05.  Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID.  Confirmed by Marshall (2006), p. 495.	Fruit fly, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/24/09	Fruit Fly, Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 4/28/06	Fruit Fly. Same fly, Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 4/28/06.

A fruit fly (Dioxyna picciola), Durham, NC, 6/21/12.  ID thanks to Spencer Pote.

Platystomatidae family (Tephritoidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

Senopterina varia mating flies, Ft. Fisher State Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 6/22/06.  They showed up on a cattail leaf in a marsh at the head of the Ft. Fisher Basin Trail.  Thanks to Keith Bayless for genus ID and to John F. Carr for the species ID.  Also see relevant BugGuide page.

Picture-winged Flies (Ulidiidae family, Tephritoidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

Tritoxa genus

Picture-winged Fly (Tritoxa incurva), Durham, NC, 9/7/09	Mating picture-winged flies (Tritoxa flexa), Flat River Impoundment, Durham, NC, 8/15/10

Delphinia picta

Picture-winged fly, Durham, NC, 6/29/21	Picture-winged Fly (Delphinia picta), Durham, NC, 8/31/21	Picture-winged Fly, Durham, 6/17/05.  I've never seen one like this before.  It showed up in the swamp in my neighborhood.  Thanks to Josh Rose for ID.	Picture-winged Fly, same fly.	Picture-winged Fly, Durham, 6/13/06	Same Picture-winged Fly

Meliera genus

Picture-winged Fly, Durham, 7/5/05.  Appeared at edge of swamp.	Picture-winged Fly, Durham, 8/6/06	Picture-winged Fly, Southpoint Swamp, Durham, NC, 7/12/07

Callopistromyia annulipes

Picture-winged fly, Blue Ridge Parkway, Rough Ridge parking lot (near Mile Post 302).  ID thanks to Ron M.

Eumetopiella genus

Picture-winged Fly, Durham, NC, 7/16/09.  ID thanks to Joel Kits.

Stilt-legged Flies (Taeniaptera trivittata, Taeniapterinae subfamily, Micropezidae family,Nerioidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

Stilt-legged Fly, Durham, NC, 8/24/07.  ID according to Marshall (2006), p. 509	Stilt-legged Fly, Durham (swamp), 6/20/05.  It was about ¾ inch long.  Thanks to Josh Rose for the ID.	Stilt-legged Fly, Hammock Hills Trail, Ocracoke Island, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/06	Stilt-legged Fly, Durham, NC, 6/17/07.	Mating Stilt-legged Flies, Durham, 6/13/06.  Many mating animals are easy to photograph, but these were really on the move!

Same mating Stilt-legged Flies, Durham, 6/13/06	Stilt-legged fly, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/1/06.  The length discrepancy between the forelegs and the other four does seem different.	Stilt-legged Fly, Durham, NC, 6/17/07.

Marsh Flies (Sciomyzidae family, Schizomyzoidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Brachycera suborder)

These flies live mainly on aquatic snails.  Sepedon and Dictya genus IDs were provided by Bill Murphy, Fishers, IN www.TrinidadBirding.com (retired, Smithsonian research collaborator).

Marsh fly (Dictya genus), Durham, NC, 10/26/20	Marsh fly (Dictya genus), Durham, NC, 5/13/19	Marsh fly (Dictya genus), Durham, NC, 7/13/07	Marsh Fly (Euthycera arctuata), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 7/2/10	Marsh Fly (Sepedon genus), Durham, 9/14/05.  Found in same swamp.  Thanks to Josh Rose for ID.	Marsh Fly (Sepedon genus),  Durham, 10/26/05

Thick-headed Flies (Conopidae family, Conopoidea superfamily, subsection Acalyptratae, section Schizophora, Muscomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Conopid fly (Zodion genus, Myopinae subfamily) on Oxeye Daisy petal. Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/6/16. Genus ID thanks to Bob Biagi. Subfamily ID thanks to Vassily Belov.	Conopid fly (Physocephala sagittaria) on False Garlic.  South Tar Greenway, Greenville, Pitt County, NC, 7/28/17. Genus ID confirmed by Vassily Belov.  Species ID thanks to Aaron Schusteff.

Lauxaniid Flies (Lauxaniidae family, Lauxanioidea superfamily, Acalyptratae subsection, Schizophora section, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Lauxaniid fly (Neogriphoneura genus), Durham, NC, 1/14/13. ID thanks to John F. Carr.	Lauxaniid flies, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/10/06.  Found deep in the woods.	Lauxaniid fly, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/16/07

Small Fruit Flies(Drosophilidae family, Ephydroidea superfamily, Acalyptratae subsection, Schizophora section, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

When you read about "fruit flies" being used in genetic research, these are the ones they mean (more specifically, the Drosophila melanogaster species).

Small Fruit Fly, White Pines Natural Reserve, Chatham County, NC 9/25/05.  This is a type of "fruit fly," famous both for its role in genetics studies and for its fondness for rotting fruit.

Muscid Flies (Muscidae family, Muscoidea superfamily, Calyptratae subsection, Schizophora section, Muscomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Durham, 4/23/09	Muscid fly, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 4/4/09	Bermudagrass Stem Maggot (Atherigona reversura), Durham, NC, 7/21/21.  ID thanks to Brad Barnd.

Dung Flies (Scathophagidae family, Muscoidea superfamily, Calyptratae subsection, Schizophora section, Muscomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Dung fly (Cordilura genus), Durham, NC, 11/16/13. ID thanks to Chris Angell.	Dung fly (Cordilura varipes), in the Scathophagidae family, Durham, NC, 11/1/21. ID thanks to Chris Angell.

Chloropid Flies (Chloropidae family, Carnoidea superfamily, Calyptratae subsection, Schizophora section, Muscomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Chloropid fly (Meromyza genus), about 5 mm long. Durham, NC, 10/9/11	Chloropid fly, Durham, NC, 11/3/20	Chloropid fly, Third Fork Creek Trail, Durham, NC, 10/27/11	Chloropid fly (Thaumatomyia genus, Chloropinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 7/4/08

Xylophagomorpha infraorder

Xylophagid Flies (Xylophagidae family, Xylophagoidea superfamily, Xylophagomorpha infraorder, Brachycera suborder)

Xylophagid fly (Dialysis fasciventris), Coenomyiinae subfamily, Xylophagidae family), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/8/06.  Family ID thanks to Matt Bertone. Species ID thanks to John F. Carr.	Xylophagid fly (Rachicerus obscuripennis), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 6/15/06.  This anomalous species has large, many-segmented, comblike antennae.  ID based on Marshall (2006), p. 449.	Xylophagid fly (Coenomyia ferruginea) being attacked by a black widow, Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road, Orange County, NC, 4/24/10	Another view of C. ferruginea

Mystery Flies

Durham, 10/28/05. This fly was only 1-2 mm long, and I almost overlooked what seemed to be a tiny speck before looking at it through the camera.	Fly, Durham, Nc, 3/31/09. Looks somewhat like a march fly.