[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”3%||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Order: Diptera
Family: Bombyliidae, Conopidae, Stratiomyiidae, Syrphidae, Tachinidae, Calliphoridae<\/p>\n
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Anthicidae, Buprestidae, Cantharidae, Cerambycidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae<\/p>\n
Flies and Beetles are two diverse insect groups that play a minor role in pollination. Like all insects, flies and beetles have three pairs of legs, antennae, and three body segments (a head, thorax, and abdomen). Morphology is highly variable in both insect groups; especially beetles whose hardened outer wings (called elytra) sometimes display ornate colors and patterns.<\/span> Beetles have chewing mouth parts; flies have sucking mouth parts. In the case of blood sucking flies like mosquitoes, the mouth part also contains a piercing structure.<\/span><\/p>\n While beetles and flies are considered relatively minor pollinators, they play a larger role in the reproduction of some plants. For example, cocoa tree reproduction depends on cross-pollination by midge flies! Unlike many plants, the small white flowers of cocoa trees are distributed on the trunk and lower hanging branches. They produce a mushroom-like odor, which is attractive to the tiny flies. Similarly, skunk cabbages emit a foul aroma during blooms. This attracts scavenging flies and beetles, though the flower does not produce any nectar. In addition to producing chemical attractants, skunk cabbage flower coloration resembles dung or carrion and is visually attractive to these insects.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/flower-longhorn-beetle.jpg” alt=”flower longhorn beetle” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Flower longhorn beetle (Analeptura lineola<\/em>) visiting a flower. <\/em>Flies and beetles are insects that play a minor role in pollination. Collectively, there are over 450,000 species in these two insect families. While uncommon, some plant species depend on flies and beetles for pollination. Image credit: Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/syrphid-fly.jpg” alt=”syrphid flies” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Syrphid fly visiting a flower. Some pollinating flies mimic bees to deter predators. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/midge-fly.jpg” alt=”midge fly” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Midge fly (family Chironomidae). Image credit: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/06\/bee-fly.jpg” alt=”bee fly” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Bee fly (Bombylius sp.<\/em>) visiting a flower. Some pollinating flies mimic bees to deter predators. Image credit: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Flies and beetles undergo complete metamorphosis, and have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larvae of flies are called maggots, and the life history of flies and beetles is highly dependent on species. Both insect groups lay their eggs in a variety of substrates including decaying plant or animal matter, dung, or in the case of some fly species, living animal flesh. These substrates serve as food for larvae. Some fly and beetle species have aquatic juvenile stages that develop in freshwater habitats.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.).<\/strong> Beetles (Coleoptera). Smithsonian Institution. Available www.si.edu\/spotlight\/buginfo\/beetle<\/a><\/p>\n Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.).<\/strong> True Flies (Diptera). Smithsonian Institution. Available www.si.edu\/spotlight\/buginfo<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n