(Class Insecta, Order Diptera)
Invertebrates Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
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General: Flies (Order Diptera) are a hugely diverse group of abundant flying creatures in the desert and mountains around Las Vegas. There are some 17,000 species of flies in North America with some thousands in the deserts. True flies have a single pair of wings. Most flies never bother humans, yet the human experience is with biting, blood sucking, garbage infesting flies. Look beyond these few species to learn about this biologically important group of animals. Many groups of flies lay eggs in the water, and then the larvae live as aquatic creatures. Look for them around the edges of shallow ponds |
| Photo | Family | Species Around Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
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Asilidae | Typical Robber Flies |
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Asilidae | Bee-like Robber Flies (Laphria spp.) |
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Bombyliidae | Bee Flies |
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Calliphoridae | Blow-flies (aka bottleflies, carrion flies) |
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Chironomidae | Midges |
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Muscidae | House Flies |
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Simuliidae | Black Fly Larvae |
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Tabanidae | Western Horse Fly (Tabanus punctifer) |
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Tephritidae | Fruit Fly |
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Tipulidae | |
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Syrphidae | Hover Flies |
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Other Interesting Fly Species | |
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Fly Larvae. Many fly larvae develop in water and other wet places, such as in this spring on a rockwall in southern Utah. | |
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Lots and lots of flies! |
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240221
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