Field and Swamp: Animals and Their Habitats

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)

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.	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.	Crane Fly, Tipula genus, Durham, 10/28/05	Tipulid Crane Fly, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 10/17/07

Crane Fly (Nephrotoma genus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/30/06

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.

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.

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, 6/17/07.   This is just a subset of a ball of possibly hundreds of such larvae.  They appeared on 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

Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites rutilus),  Durham, NC, 10/3/07, about 15 mm long not including legs.	Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites rutilus),  Cypress Gardens, Berkeley County, SC, 7/27/08

Midges (family Chironomidae, infraorder Culicomorpha, Nematocera suborder)

Family identifications of these midges were based on Marshall (2006), p. 440. 

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	Female Midge, Chatham County, NC, 4/4/06.	Male Midge, Bath, NC, 2/17/06.

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

Female march fly, Durham, Nc, 3/31/09	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.

Bibionomorpha infraorder, Nematocera suborder)

March fly, Goose Creek State Park, Beaufort County, NC, 11/7/07

Love Bug (Plecia nearctica, Pleciidae family, Bibionomorpha infraorder, Nematocera suborder)

Love Bug (Plecia nearctica), Cypress Gardens, Berkeley County, SC  10/13/07	Love Bug, 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, caught while buzzing around my head.  I later released it, although another that bit my leg was less fortunate.

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!

Female Horse Fly (genus Tabanus), 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.	Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus), Eno River State Park, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC,  9/16/05.	Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus), 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), 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

Snipe Flies (Rhagionidae family, 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.

Rhagio genus

Snipe Flies (Rhagio mystaceus) mating, Craggy Gardens, 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.

Soldier Flies (Stratiomyidae family, infraorder Stratiomyomorpha, suborder Brachycera)

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 ½ an inch long.  Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID.	Soldier Fly (Pselliodotus genus?), White Pines Nature Preserve, Chatham County, NC, 4/16/06.  Eric Eaton says this odd critter is just mimicking a bee, but then it's pretty strange for a bee!  ID uncertain.	Fly larva, possibly Stratiomys genus. Durham, NC, 9/8/06.  Found in a deep puddle.

Robber Flies (Promachus genus, Asilidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Mallophora genus, subfamily Asilinae

Southern Bee Killer (Mallophora orcina, subfamily Asilinae), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 10/12/06.  At first it looked like a big bumblebee: what a surprise to see those fly eyes!

Efferia genus, subfamily Asilinae

Male Robberfly (Efferia albibarbis, subfamily Asilinae), Fort Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover County, NC, 6/22/06	Male Robber Fly (Efferia pogonias, subfamily Asilinae), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 7/9/06	Female Robber Fly (probably Efferia genus, based on leg coloring), Eno River SP, Old Cole Mill Road access, Orange County, NC, 8/17/05.	Female Robberfly (probably Efferia genus), Durham, 9/27/05.

Promachus genus, subfamily Asilinae

These are the largest robber flies.

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.	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.

Laphystiinae subfamily

Robber fly (Laphystia litoralis, subfamily Laphystiinae), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 6/24/08

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	Robber fly maybe, Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

Laphria genus, subfamily Laphriinae

Robber Fly (Laphria divisor), Cox Mountain Trail, Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 5/6/07

Ommatius genus, Asilinae subfamily

Hanging-thief (Ommatius genus), Durham, 8/2/04.   Identified by Josh Rose of Duke University.	Hanging-thief (Ommatius tibialis), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 6/25/08

Diogmites genus, Dasypogoninae subfamily

Robber fly (Diogmites neoternatus), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 7/9/08

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

These colorful flies (mostly members of the Condylostylus genus and Sciapodinae subfamily) average ⅛ inch long.  Most have clear wings, but black squiggle patterns are seen on the wings of at least one species.

Long-legged fly, Durham, NC, 5/29/08, probably a member of the Diaphorus species of the Diaphorinae subfamily.	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

Durham, 6/20/05	Long-legged fly, Durham, NC, 8/16/08	Long-legged Flies, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/25/09	Durham, 6/17/05	Indian Creek Trail, a Jordan Lake Game Land, Chatham County, NC, 7/7/06

Long-legged fly (genus Condylostylus, subfamily Sciapodinae), Durham, 5/17/06.	Long-legged fly, Mason Farm Biological Reserve (north of the creek), Orange County, NC, 4/28/07	Long-legged fly, Asheville, 7/7/05

Mydas Flies (Mydidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, 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

Flower Flies (Syrphidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Flower Flies 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

Eristalis genus, Eristaliina sub-tribe, Eristaliini tribe, Eristalinae subfamily

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.	Flower fly (Eristalis dimidiatus, Eristalinae subfamily), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/20/06	American Hoverfly (Eristalis transversa, Eristalinae subfamily), New Hanover Botanical Garden, Wilmington, NC, 7/17/04

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

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

Milesia genus, Philippimytiina sub-genus, Milesiini tribe, Eristalinae subfamily

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

Chrysogaster genus, Brachypini tribe, Eristalinae subfamily

Flower fly (Chrysogaster genus, Bracypini tribe), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 5/8/07

Sphiximorpha genus, Eristalinae subfamily

Syrphid Fly (Sphiximorpha, subfamily Eristalinae), 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.

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

Flower Fly, Raulson Arboretum, 4/13/07

Syrphinae Subfamily

Salpingogaster genus, Syrphinae subfamily

Syrphid Fly (Salpingogaster genus, subfamily Syrphinae), Carolina Beach State Park, 10/19/05.  Thanks to Eric Eaton for ID.	Flower Fly (Syrphus genus, Syrphinae subfamily), Boone, Watauga County, 8/31/05.

Toxomerus genus, Syrphinae subfamily

Mating lower flies (Toxomerus marginatus), Durham, NC, 7/18/09	Mating flower flies (Toxomerus marginatus), Durham, NC, 5/23/08	Syrphid fly (Toxomerus marginatus, subfamily Syrphinae), Durham, 6/13/06	Flower fly (Toxomerus genus)	Syrphid fly (Toxomerus marginatus), Durham, 10/24/05.  This fly appeared at my neighborhood swamp.  It was a little less than ½ inch long.

Toxomerus Hoverfly (Toxomerus geminatus), Durham, 4/15/05.

Syrphid fly larva, Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 7/3/07.  ID thanks to John R. Maxwell.

Bee Flies (Bombyliidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, 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

Large Bee Fly (Bombylius major, subfamily Bombyliinae), Santee NWR, Orangeburg County, SC, 3/26/06	Large Bee Fly, Museum of Life & Science (outdoors), 4/20/07	Bee Fly, (Systoechus vulgaris, subfamily Bombyliinae), Durham, 9/28/06

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 (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 (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.

Bee Fly (Anthrax georgicus), Durham, 6/2/06.

Tachinid Flies (Tachinidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Tachina Flies (Trichopoda pennipes and another Trichopoda genus member, subfamily Phasiinae)

Tachina Fly  (Trichopoda pennipes), Durham, 7/5/05.   A parasitic fly that preys on true bugs.  Appeared at edge of swamp.	Trichopoda genus,  Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC,  10/23/05	Trichopoda genus, subfamily Phasiinae, family Tachinidae, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 9/29/06

Tachinid fly (Xanthomelanodes genus), Durham, NC, 5/30/09

Archytas apicifer, subfamily Tachininae

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

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.

Picture-winged Flies (Ulidiidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Tritoxa incurva

Picture-winged Fly (Tritoxa incurva), Durham, NC, 9/7/09

Delphinia picta

Picture-winged Fly (Delphinia picta), 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.  According to him, the tiny white objects below the wings are halteres ("vestigial remnants of the hindwings").	Picture-winged Fly, same fly.	Picture-winged Fly (Delphinia picta), Durham, 6/13/06	Same Picture-winged Fly

Meliera genus

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

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

Eumetopiella genus

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

Stilt-legged Flies (Taeniaptera trivittata, Taeniapterinae subfamily, Micropezidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Stilt-legged Fly (Taeniaptera trivittata), 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, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

These flies live mainly on aquatic snails.

Marsh fly, Durham, NC, 7/13/07	Marsh Fly (Limnia loewi?), Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, NC, 8/9/05.

Marsh Fly, Durham, 9/14/05.  Found in same swamp.  Thanks to Josh Rose for ID.	Marsh Fly, Durham, 9/26/05, in a very different light.	Marsh Fly, Durham, 10/1/05.  Seems to be doing something with a milkweed or cattail seed.	Marsh Fly, Durham, 10/1/05. Same fly.	Marsh Fly (Tetanocera genus),  Durham, 10/26/05

Flesh Flies (Sarcophagidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

These are fairly large flies, quite a bit bigger than house flies, and show up most frequently in areas where people have eaten and not cleaned up.

Flesh fly, Durham, NC, 6/19/09	Flesh Fly, Little Scaly Mountain, Macon County, 8/11/05.  This fly is a scavenger and about twice the size of a housefly.	Flesh Fly, Durham, 9/27/05.  This fly was near the far side of my Durham neighborhood swamp.	Flesh Fly, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 9/29/06	Flesh Fly (Metopia genus), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 10/9/06

Lauxaniid Flies (Lauxaniidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Lauxaniid flies (most likely Sapromyza genus), 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, 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 (family Drosophilidae), 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.

Fruit Flies (Tephritidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, 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 (Tephritidae family), 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.

Platystomatidae family, Tephritoidea superfamily, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder

Senopterina genus 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 ID.  Also see relevant BugGuide page.

Blowflies or Blue/Green Bottle Flies (Calliphoridae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

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

Muscid Flies (Muscidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Durham, 4/23/09	Muscid fly, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 4/4/09

Chloropid Flies (Chloropidae family, infraorder Muscomorpha, Brachycera suborder)

Chloropid fly (Thaumatomyia genus, Chloropinae subfamily), Durham, NC, 7/4/08

Xylophagomorpha infraorder

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

Xylophagid fly (Dialysis genus, Coenomyiinae subfamily, Xylophagidae family), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/8/06.  Family ID thanks to Matt Bertone.	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.

Dance Flies (family Empididae)

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

Mystery Flies

Durham, 6/20/05.  How could you resist those iridescent wings?	Durham, 10/28/05. This fly was about a sixteenth of an inch long, and I almost overlooked what seemed to be a tiny speck before looking at it through the camera.