A Selection of Diptera
(Flies, Gnats and Midges)
Arizona's Sycamore Canyons

Water in the arid and semiarid regions of Arizona is often concentrated along narrow canyons draining from the high mountains. With a great variety of plants these riparian corridors support a great diversity of insects including flies. The greatest abundance and diversity are to be found in spring, March to May, and again in late summer, July to September, after the summer rains. The vast majority of fly species are not pests to humans, but instead are vital to ecosystem function. They include pollinators, predators and a wide variety of nutrient recyclers. They are very fascinating and beautiful life forms!

Giant Robber Fly

Large, robust insect capable of strong flight and able to take as prey very large insects. More ...

Giant Robber Fly

There are several hard-to-separate giant robber fly species. More ...

Bumblebee Mimic

This audacious fly looks like a bee and then hunts bees to eat. Bold, fuzzy black, yellow and orange. More ...

Ant Robber

This raptorous fly grabs ants off the ground. Large, conspicous compound eyes. More ...

Flower Fly

Many, many kinds of flies visit flowers for nectar and many are important pollinators. More ...

Thick-headed Fly

Looks like a scary wasp but it's harmless. Instead it's a curious fly in disguise. More ...

Ceriana

Harmless fly looks like dangerous wasp. Antennae mounted on a stalk. More ...

Black Fly

Small black flies that usually live near flowing water. Occasionally bite. More ...

Dance Fly

Dance flies perform their footwork on the muddy edges of streams and ponds. Quite small as adults, the worm-like larvae live in clumps of dying algae. More ...

Deer Fly

Robust, fast flying flies the most common about twice the size of a house fly. Tend to bite hikers about the ankles. More ...

Juniper Bud Gall

The small orange larva at the center belongs to a gall midge, a minute fly. The galls are look like juniper berries. More ...