Ephydridae

Diptera (plant parasitic) • Insects (plant pests) • pests-diseases-weeds

Hydrellia wirthi (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): Michael Seymour, Louisiana State University
Source: IPM Images

Ephydridae

This family of flies contains around 2,000 species which are found mainly in swamps and marshes, including salt marshes. Several are known as rice pests like those of the genus Hydrellia. They mine the stems or the leaves and some are known as nuisance pests in greenhouses. The members of Ephydridae are in general small (1-10 mm) dark coloured flies. Taxonomically they are closely related to the Drosophilidae.

The following genera are currently entered in the system:

• Hydrellia (genus)
• Scatella (genus)