Humpbacked Flies

Phoridae

Humpbacked flies are tiny insects that have a unique humped back. They are often found in damp places and can be seen buzzing around flowers and decaying plants.

Hábitat: Wetlands

Aspecto

The Humpbacked Flies has a distinctive rounded, hump-shaped thorax, which gives them their name. They are tiny, typically dark-bodied, with small heads and short antennae. Their clear wings often appear somewhat iridescent under light.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenDipteraFamiliaPhoridae

Humpbacked Flies

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

A female can lay hundreds of eggs in her short lifetime!

Many species can run much faster than they fly!

Some Phorid fly larvae can live inside bee brains!

They are often called 'coffin flies' because they can be found deep in buried coffins!

Habilidades especiales

Humpbacked Flies can lay eggs on ants, and their larvae grow inside, eventually causing the ant's head to fall off.

Humpbacked Flies can burrow several feet into soil to reach hidden food sources, like buried decaying animals.

Humpbacked Flies can dart and change direction incredibly fast, helping them escape predators with surprising agility.

Medidas y detalles

Tamaño: 1-5 mm
Esperanza de vida: 7-40 días
Cantidad de patas: 6

Dieta y alimentación

They eat decaying plants, fungi, and sometimes become parasites inside other insects or snails.

Diferencias por edad: Larvae are often parasitic or feed on decaying matter, while adults may sip nectar or honeydew.

Alimentos principales

Decaying plants
Mushrooms
Insect larvae
Snails
Dead animals

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

parasitizes

Red Imported Fire Ant

Solenopsis invicta

Larvae develop inside and eventually behead the host ant.

eats

Button Mushroom

Agaricus bisporus

Many Phorid fly larvae feed on decaying fungi.

eaten by

Garden Spider

Araneus diadematus

Common garden spiders are predators of small flying insects.

parasitizes

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Some species lay eggs on honey bees, with larvae developing inside.

Rasgos

Omnívoro

Este rasgo identifica organismos cuya dieta incluye tanto materia vegetal como animal.

Imán para polinizadores

Describe plantas que son particularmente atractivas y beneficiosas para una amplia variedad de organismos polinizadores.

Descomponedor

Describe a los organismos que descomponen la materia orgánica muerta, reciclando los nutrientes de vuelta al ecosistema.

Humedal

Este rasgo de hábitat identifica especies que se encuentran en humedales, que son áreas de tierra saturadas de agua, ya sea permanente o estacionalmente, e incluyen marismas, pantanos y ciénagas.