Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an outdoorsman, or just curious about the various types of flies in Georgia, you’ve come to the right place.
Georgia is home to many fly species you can’t even imagine! In our blog post, we will take an in-depth look at some of the most common types of flies in Georgia that you may encounter in the Peach State.
Learn more about the different types of flies in Georgia on our blog. Let us get started!
1. American Lady Butterfly
The American Lady Butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis) is a common species that is first on our list of the types of flies in Georgia.
These colorful insects are easily recognized by their bright orange and black wings. The American Lady is often seen flying around meadows, fields, and gardens.
While they feed on nectar, they also act as important pollinators in these areas. They also lay eggs on plants like nettles, thistles, and dandelions.
American Lady Butterflies are relatively easy to spot, as they can grow up to 2 inches in length. They usually stay close to the ground, which makes it easier to observe their behavior.
In addition, they have an impressive wingspan of approximately 3 inches. During the flight, they often flutter slowly, making them easy to follow with the eye.
2. Black Horse Fly
Black Horse Flies(Tabanus atratus) are roughly an inch long, making them very noticeable and mildly fascinating.
Despite their bulky girth, they fly quickly. Females consume blood, and they have no problem consuming it from any source.
Their mouthpieces sliced flesh, letting blood seep forth. They leave an open wound after sucking up the blood using a proboscis. The health of the livestock is in danger if these wounds become infected.
The bites they give humans are also extremely painful. Males don’t bite or ingest blood.
In reality, men consume flower nectar and scout out potential mates all day. Eastern Europe is where this species can be found.
Female types of flies in Georgia deposit fertilized eggs on or close to water sources. Maggots (larvae) eat worms and other aquatic insects.
Horse flies can be avoided by using chemicals, natural therapies, and specialty collars, especially in stables.
3. Horse Fly
Horse flies(Tabanus spp) are next on our list of types of flies in Georgia. They are called gadflies, enormous flies that are excellent at agitating people and animals.
Although female horseflies need protein to develop eggs, adult horseflies typically consume nectar and plant liquids.
This protein is derived from blood, which may be found in animals such as horses, cows, sheep, rabbits, and even people. A red bump results from the horse fly female’s bite, which is felt immediately.
After being bitten, victims typically swat the fly to scare it away, but many female horseflies are ruthless in their search for a blood meal and will persistently pursue their prey no matter how hard they try to flee.
4. Julia Longwing Butterfly
The Brush-footed Butterfly family includes the Julia Longwing Butterfly(Dryas Iulia).
As a result, it has a lineage with butterflies, including the Monarch, Viceroy, Malachite, Fritillary subfamily, Painted Lady, and Common Buckeye.
These types of flies in Georgia’s front legs are so small and nearly impossible to discern that some people may mistakenly believe they only have four.
They have short hairs or bristles covering them, like on a hairbrush. However, this does not make them more noticeable. Its yellow wings are noticeably longer than those of a regular butterfly.
The wing’s top to the bottom edge is divided by an angled black line. A thin row of tiny, black crescents resembles fringe along the underside of the forewings.
This butterfly flies smoothly and quickly. Although it originated in Brazil, it has spread to Florida, Texas, and even as far north as Nebraska. They can produce three generations in a single year.
5. Leaf Miner Fly
The tiny Leaf Miner(Various Spp) larvae burrow their way inside stems and roots and between the top and bottom layers of leaves. Usually, the proof of their presence is discovered before the real offender.
The leaves become dark and brittle in the places where tissue mining has taken place. Adults are less commonly observed.
Even in the presence of alternative adequate food sources, species often have a plant preference and will only consume one particular type of plant.
It can occasionally be easier to determine which leaf Miner Fly larvae species are eating on a plant if you know its name.
However, more precise identification may not be achievable, as many species have not been thoroughly investigated.
6. Monarch Butterfly
In North America, it is getting harder to see monarch butterflies(Daaus plexippus). The Tucson, Arizona-based Center for Biodiversity reports a nearly 80% decline in population during the previous 20 years.
While summertime cold rendered them uncommon in the far northern regions, their numbers have declined in the southern provinces and states due to several circumstances.
Natural catastrophes, such as the wildfires that have decimated California, kill the plants that monarch butterflies rely on for habitat and food.
These types of flies in Georgia’s western populations are in danger of extinction as of 2019.
It is more difficult to discover areas that will support the next brood, let alone the following generation, due to the rapid development of their habitat across the remainder of the United States and Canada.
The butterfly is also killed as it travels across continents by chemicals used in agricultural areas.
The species overwinters in Mexico, where hotter winters are causing the trees on which it depends to dry out and die.
The Endangered Species Act in the United States was evaluated in response to the Monarch’s falling population.
It was originally planned to decide whether to declare the monarch butterfly as endangered in June 2019, but that date was later moved to December 2020.
7. Tephritid Fruit Fly
Unusual black markings distinguish the Tephritid Fruit Fly(Trupanea Spp) family on transparent wings. Some marks resemble starbursts, while others resemble blocks.
In any case, they are fascinating and helpful in determining the genus or tribe of a fly.
Tephritid Fruit types of flies in Georgia come in a variety of species, and practically all of them may use more study. They are drawn to ripe fruit like other Fruit Flies are.
8. Tawny Emperor Butterfly
The term “tawny” refers to the typical orange-brown color of this species of butterfly. The Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa Clyton) can be a lighter shade of taupe, gray-brown, or even more yellow-brown.
It resembles the Hackberry Emperor in appearance and is a big butterfly. East of the Rockies, both have the same range, although the Tawny Emperor’s is more concentrated in the middle. Look for eyespots on the underside of the wings to distinguish between the two.
The Hackberry has some below, but Tawny Emperors do not. On its wings, two distinct black bands stand close to the “shoulders.” The opposite side of the wing also exhibits these black stripes.
In addition to being attractive, Tawny Emperors, as types of flies in Georgia, are reputed to be very friendly.
They rest on willing subjects most prone to sip perspiration from the arms or legs. Butterflies frequently seek mineral salt in perspiration, mainly from less mobile sources.
Adult types of flies in Georgia also consume the strong liquids that can be found on carrion, rotting fruit, and excrement. Find this brown butterfly in or close to woodlands with hackberry plants.
9. Variegated Fritillary Butterfly
Every country in North America has the common butterfly known as the Variegated Fritillary(Euptoieta Claudia).
While it shares a pattern with many other Fritillaries, this species has a luminous spot on its shoulder. Next to the head, a black border surrounds that.
Typically, the orange-brown color towards the body is darker than it is by the wing edges. Across the center of the wings is a paler stripe.
Black single dots are arranged in a row close to the double-lined border, each in its own “cell.”
A similar pale mark by the head can be seen on the underside of the wings. In contrast to the topside, a less symmetrical design is created by mixing tan, orange, and white.
Look for adults sipping nectar on thistle-like plants by the side of the road, in meadows, and in agricultural areas.
It frequently appears in open areas. Populations of Variegated Fritillaries types of flies in Georgia have flourished in every region of the continent because of a wide variety of host plants and numerous types of habitats.
10. Tiger Bee Fly
Given its coloring, the common Tiger Bee Fly(Xenox tigrinus) can be mistaken for a mosquito.
Although this exotic-looking bug can give the impression that it is a bee due to its size and fuzzy body, it is actually just a fly.
It neither stings nor consumes blood as food. The abdomen of the black body features two white dots.
Just enough of the black pattern on the otherwise transparent wings would have resembled tiger stripes for the name to be “tiger.”
The adult’s name is its most ominous feature. However, the more vicious larvae are parasites. In the Carpenter Bees’ nest, female Tiger Bee types of flies in Georgia lay their fertilized eggs.
Carpenter Bee females typically drill perfectly round holes into wooden fence posts or beams to lay their eggs.
When the Tiger Bee Fly visits these holes, it adds its own eggs to any that may already be there.
Before the Carpenter Bee larvae are old enough to be able to escape, the Tiger Bee Fly larvae hatch and eat the live caterpillars.
11. Soldier Fly
Adult populations of this type of soldier fly(Ptecticus trivittatus) can be seen hovering or standing atop decaying plant matter in woodlands, gardens, and parks. They are really tiny in size.
Unlike house flies, which are pests, these soldier flies don’t seem to care about people or their buildings.
They have been observed on compost mounds, grass-clipping piles, and other decomposing vegetation.
They are also called compost flies since the females lay fertilized eggs on plant debris. Maggots have ten segments to their little, brown bodies that resemble worms.
The Soldier Fly maggots consume the waste, and their presence may discourage other bothersome fly species from congregating nearby. It is thought that adults consume flower nectar.
12. Small House Fly
In the summer, male little house flies (Fannia Spp) congregate in swarms. Females deposit their eggs on decomposing animal tissue or in human or animal feces.
Because of this, one species, F. scalaris, is sometimes referred to as the Latrine Fly and is thought to be a possible disease indicator because after landing on excrement, it then falls on food and spreads germs through touch.
The Small House Fly has identical characteristics to a conventional House Fly, although smaller and thinner. F. scalaris has a well-known life cycle, and its maggots are frequently found on dead bodies.
Forensic investigators use the life stages of the fly to estimate how long a corpse has been decaying.
When a body is found, determining what stage of the life cycle the maggots and flies are in enables a helpful calculation of the time of death.
13. Red-banded Hairstreak Butterfly
Red-banded Hairstreak butterflies(Calycopis cecrops) fly quickly and frequently hover closer to the ground than other butterflies do.
The same hue on the edge of the wing by the head emphasizes the vibrant swish of red-orange on their wings when they are at rest.
Another striking feature is a brilliant blue splotch near the butterfly’s back. Male types of flies in Georgia cling to branches while searching for suitable partners and defending their home range from invasion by other insects.
Female flies in Georgia dept fertilized eggs on the host plant’s leaf litter. Caterpillars consume debris on the forest floor and dead and fallen leaves from trees such as sumac, oak, and wax myrtle. In comparison to ordinary, tubular caterpillars, they resemble brown slugs.
Throughout its range, two to four generations per year are typical. Adults sip nectar from milkweed, dogbane, yarrow, and sumac blooms.
Adult types of flies in Georgia are present in fields, sand woods, woodland borders, and coastal regions.
14. Gray Hairstreak Butterfly
Gray hairstreak butterflies are also on our list of types of flies in Georgia. Adults state and province has open fields, parks, woodlands, and gardens where you can watch butterflies.
They behave differently from other Hairstreaks when they are resting, basking in the sun with their wings spread.
They fly quickly and employ a variety of movements that are challenging to track visually. This will undoubtedly aid in preventing an aerial attack.
Adults have a narrow, short tail at the base of each hindwing and are a light gray color. Each forewing has a clean black-and-white line running along the center.
Closer to the bottom, a second row of black dashes with orange accents comes to a point. On top and underneath the wings are two distinct orange patches, each with a black dot.
Orange patches with black interiors can also be seen on the hair-like fringe that protrudes from the hindwings’ underside.
Except for the orange/black pattern and white dashes between them, the tops (dorsal) of the wings are almost all gray.
The Gray Hairstreak types of flies in Georgia consume the blooms of hibiscus and legume plants, as well as other flora.
Because of this, bean farmers and growers of decorative flowers find it to be a nuisance pest.
15. Painted Lady Butterfly
Each summer, millions of Painted Ladies butterflies (Vanessa cardui) move from the continent’s warm southern part to its cooler northern provinces. They occasionally move in groups, thrilling observers.
Many generations can be created yearly, with warmer regions producing more of them. This species can continue to be active all year in regions with moderate winters.
All three of North America’s countries warmly embrace and adore this well-liked native butterfly.
The colors and patterns of Painted Ladies types of flies in Georgia are endless. A rosy-orange and black color scheme dominate when the wings are flat. Tiny black eyespots border the edges of the hindwings. The black wing tips contrast with the white dots.
Near the upper margin of the forewings, a black dot is surrounded by dark pink or red. A completely distinct color scheme appears when the wings are extended.
Brown and white with hints of orange and pink make up the underside of the wings.
There are four identically sized blue and yellow eyespots on the border of each hindwing. Adult types of flies in Georgia frequently hang around on asters and consume flower nectar.
To mate, males actively look for females. On the host plants’ leaves, female flies in Georgia deposit fertilized eggs.
16. Pennsylvania Firefly
The Pennsylvania Firefly(Photuris Pennsylvania) shines a yellow-green flash of light every few seconds on clear summer nights.
An enzyme known as luciferase is the light source, generating almost no heat. Bioluminescence is the term used to describe an organism’s capacity to generate light.
This signal’s flashing lights are intended to draw people of the opposite sex. If a pair can connect, they mate, and the population in that region grows.
The female types of flies in Georgia signal occasionally draw individuals from a different genus on purpose. Males of the genus Photinus find this to be a costly error.
Males from the Photuris genus are murdered and eaten by females if they respond and approach them.
The female types of flies in Georgia can absorb a steroid that is naturally present in Photinus males by consuming the males.
When females had high quantities of the steroid in their bodies, they were less enticing to attack jumping spiders.
The jumping spider stopped attacking or eating the female after a tiny taste of lucibufagins.
The entire Pennsylvania Firefly species benefits from imitation since a longer lifespan increases the chance of reproduction.
17. Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly
Lastly, The orange/black/white colors seen in many Crescent butterflies(Chlosyne nycteis) are seen in the medium-sized Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly.
But as a Checkerspot, its orange wings are edged with a row of tiny black and white spots.
The front legs of these Brush-footed types of flies in Georgia are short, while the back legs are longer.
When resting, the butterfly may occasionally stand with its head lower than its abdomen, giving the impression that it has four rather than six legs.
The larval caterpillar is black with orange stripes running along its body and dots of purple and white.
Spiky spines cover the entire body. Their preferred plant, Black-eyed asters, daisies, and goldenrods, are all edible to them.
Typically, one generation is created yearly, but two or three generations are possible in warmer climates.
Conclusion
If you live in Georgia or have visited recently, you’ve likely encountered a fly or two. But did you know that there are various types of flies in Georgia? These small insects are an essential part of Georgia’s ecosystem.
Above, we took a closer look at some of the most common types of flies in Georgia.
We also discussed the characteristics of each species, where to find them, and their roles in their environment. Good luck!
