Ilythea spilota explained

Ilythea spilota is a species of 'shore flies' belonging to the family Ephydridae.^[1]

It is a Holarctic species with a limited distribution in Europe ^[2] They are found along shorelines of small streams. The larvae consume pinnate diatoms. Newly hatched larvae form a protective case by fastening a mix of sand grains and detritus to their dorsal surfaces.^[3]

Distribution

Canada, United States, Europe.

Notes and References

1. Mathis . W.N. . Zatwarnicki . T. . World catalog of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) . Memoirs of Entomology, International . 1995 . 4 . 1–423.
2. [Fauna Europaea]
3. Foote,B.A., 2007 Biology of Ilythea caniceps, I. spilota, and Zeros flavipes (Diptera: Ephydridae), case-making consumers of diatoms on shorelines Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 109 (1):125-130 · January 2007