More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Flies of Zihuatanejo
ORDER DIPTERA
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)
-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)
-Nematoceran Flies (Suborder Nematocera)
-Mosquitoes and Midges (Infraorder Culicomorpha)
-Superfamily Culicoidea
-Phantom Midges (Family Chaoboridae)
-Genus Chaoborus
-Subgenus Sayomyia
-Chaoborus festivus
Chaoborus festivus is a species of non-biting midge in the family Chaoboridae, commonly referred to as a phantom midge due to the remarkable transparency of its larvae. Found in freshwater habitats such as ponds and lakes, it spends most of its life cycle in the aquatic larval stage, where it plays an important ecological role as a predator in plankton communities. Adults are small, delicate, mosquito-like flies, but unlike true mosquitoes they do not bite or feed on blood. Their primary role is reproduction, and they typically live only briefly after emerging from the water.
Chaoborus festivus
Description
Chaoborus festivus is a phantom midge in the family Chaoboridae. Adults are delicate, mosquito-like flies with slender bodies, long legs, and transparent wings, but lack the elongated piercing mouthparts of mosquitoes. The larvae are aquatic and nearly transparent, with distinctive air sacs that allow them to regulate their buoyancy and move vertically through the water column.
Range
Chaoborus festivus occurs in North and Central America, particularly in warm freshwater environments. The species is found in Mexico and can be encountered in the Zihua area where suitable freshwater habitats are present.
Habitat
Larvae inhabit freshwater ponds, lakes, pools, and other relatively still bodies of water, where they commonly move through the open water column. Adults are terrestrial and are often associated with vegetation and areas surrounding freshwater breeding sites.
Diet
Larvae are active predators that feed primarily on small aquatic organisms, especially zooplankton such as water fleas and other small crustaceans. They capture prey with specialised grasping structures. Adults generally feed on nectar and other plant-derived liquids, although some adult phantom midges may take little or no food.