Hippelates
Encyclopedia
Hippelates is a genus of flies in the family Chloropidae
and are often referred to as eye gnats or eye flies (the name is also used for members of the Old World genus Siphunculina
). They are very small (1.5–2.5 mm or 0.0590551181102362–0.0984251968503937 long) flies
that frequently congregate around the eyes to lap at the fluids. They are primarily a nuisance pest, and do not bite. They have been linked with the spread of bovine mastitis
in North America
, and in certain tropical regions, they are capable of vectoring disease-causing bacteria (e.g., yaws
).
Chloropidae
Chloropidae is a family of flies commonly known as frit flies or grass flies. There are approximately 2000 described species in over 160 genera distributed worldwide. These are usually very small flies, yellow or black and appearing shiny due to the virtual absence of any hairs. The majority of the...
and are often referred to as eye gnats or eye flies (the name is also used for members of the Old World genus Siphunculina
Siphunculina
Siphunculina is a genus of small flies known as tropical eye flies. They are known for their habit of visiting the eyes of humans and other vertebrates to feed on fluids and in doing so cause annoyance, spread bacterial or viral diseases or cause injury to the eye...
). They are very small (1.5–2.5 mm or 0.0590551181102362–0.0984251968503937 long) flies
Gnat
A gnat is any of many species of tiny flying insects in the Dipterid suborder Nematocera, especially those in the families Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae and Sciaridae.In British English the term applies particularly to Nematocerans of the family Culicidae...
that frequently congregate around the eyes to lap at the fluids. They are primarily a nuisance pest, and do not bite. They have been linked with the spread of bovine mastitis
Mastitis in dairy cattle
Mastitis in dairy cattle is the persistent, inflammatory reaction of the udder tissue. This potentially fatal mammary gland infection is the most common disease in dairy cattle in the United States. It is also the most costly to the dairy industry...
in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and in certain tropical regions, they are capable of vectoring disease-causing bacteria (e.g., yaws
Yaws
Yaws is a tropical infection of the skin, bones and joints caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum pertenue...
).
Distribution
Hippelates are Neotropic and Nearctic in distribution.Species
- Hippelates dorsalis LoewHermann LoewFriedrich Hermann Loew was a German entomologist who specialised in the study of Diptera, an order of insects including flies, mosquitoes, gnats and midges...
, 1869 - Hippelates genalis LoewHermann LoewFriedrich Hermann Loew was a German entomologist who specialised in the study of Diptera, an order of insects including flies, mosquitoes, gnats and midges...
, 1869 - Hippelates impressus BeckerTheodor BeckerTheodor Becker was a German civil engineer and entomologist primarily known for his work with flies....
, 1912 - Hippelates nobilis LoewHermann LoewFriedrich Hermann Loew was a German entomologist who specialised in the study of Diptera, an order of insects including flies, mosquitoes, gnats and midges...
, 1863 - Hippelates pallipes LoewHermann LoewFriedrich Hermann Loew was a German entomologist who specialised in the study of Diptera, an order of insects including flies, mosquitoes, gnats and midges...
, 1863 - Hippelates plebejus LoewHermann LoewFriedrich Hermann Loew was a German entomologist who specialised in the study of Diptera, an order of insects including flies, mosquitoes, gnats and midges...
, 1863 - Hippelates proboscideus Williston, 1896
- Hippelates saundersi Kumm, 1936