Hydromya Explained

Hydromya dorsalis is a species of fly in the family Sciomyzidae. It is found in the Palearctic.^{[1] [2] [3]} It is the only species in the genus Hydromya. Males have two elongated processes on the anterior margin of the fourth abdominal sternite. Larvae of Hydromya dorsalis are adapted for aquatic life and prey on aquatic pulmonate snails: Galba truncatula, Lymnaea sp. and Stagnicola palustris. Because of this, they are commonly referred to as snail-killing flies. ^[4] Adults are found on vegetation all year round but the main flight period is April to October. H. dorsalis is known from most of the Palaearctic and some partsof the Afrotropics countries.

External links

• Images representing Hydromya dorsalis at BOLD

Notes and References

1. [Fauna Europaea]
2. Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Parts I, II. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi.
3. Séguy, E. (1934) Diptères: Brachycères. II. Muscidae acalypterae, Scatophagidae. Paris: Éditions Faune de France 28 Bibliotheque Virtuelle Numerique pdf
4. McDonnell, R. J., Knutson, L., Vala, J. C., Abercrombie, J., Henry, P. Y., Gormally, M. J., 2005: Direct evidence of predation by aquatic, predatory Sciomyzidae (Diptera, Acalyptrata) on freshwater snails from natural populations. Entomologist' s Monthly Magazine 141(1688/90): 49-56.