Flies: How Many Species Are There In New Jersey?

1. Syrphid Fly

The syrphid fly, which belongs to the Syrphidae family, goes by several names, but you might hear it called the hoverfly or flower fly. It looks very similar to a wasp or bee, and its appearance helps to protect it from predators.

You can quickly identify these flies as they typically have a black body with yellow stripes, but their middle section is slender. They have characteristics like bumble bees. They are an essential part of the ecosystem as they are pollinators. You’ll typically find them feeding on the nectar and pollen from flowers.

These flies love to dwell in gardens, forests, and wetlands but tend to congregate where flowers are abundant. The good news is that they don’t usually come into your home and won’t bother you if you encounter them.

2. Black Horse Fly

The black horse fly is known for its loud buzz and painful bites. Sadly, these flies are abundant in New Jersey, especially if you have livestock and horses. Their bites are with the intent to draw blood from you, as the female needs this blood for egg development.

While these insects love fresh blood, they prefer staying near rural areas and close to water. A moist environment with decay of any kind is the perfect breeding site. These flies are mostly active in the warmer months and don’t usually enter homes. They are a significant nuisance to humans and animals because their behavior is aggressive, and they like to bite.

Though there are many species of horseflies, the black variety is easy to recognize due to its significant size. They can get as large as 1.25 inches and have a distinct appearance. Their eyes are also quite large and stick out of their head.

Looking at their eyes from different angles shows that they have iridescent colors. If you’re bitten by a female, the pain is likely to be much greater than that of a male, as the male doesn’t have the powerful mouthparts she does for breeding purposes.

3. American Bluet Damselfly

If you live around a body of water, you’re likely to encounter the American Bluet Damselfly. This fly species loves to breed and hunt near water, and they prefer a slow-moving stream to one that moves vigorously. While many people don’t like to see flies of any kind, having these insects near a pond or other water on your property is a good sign.

When the damselfly is present, it’s a sign that the aquatic ecosystem is healthy. Thankfully, you won’t encounter these flies in your home; they will stay outdoors and near water. These critters only go where open spaces allow them to hunt and mate easily.

Yes, hunting can be done mid-air by a fly. As agile hunters, these flies can capture their prey in mid-flight and never miss a beat. The American Bluet Damselfly is a small and slim insect with striking blue and black coloring. The male has a mostly blue body with a few black markings, but the female has more color variations.

She can be blue, green, brown, or a mixture of colors with similar black marks. The male has dark blue eyes, while the females are typically brown or green. Both males and females can get anywhere from 1 to 1.5 inches in length.

4. Cluster Fly

You’ve probably seen a cluster fly and thought it was a regular housefly, but there are differences. Cluster flies often come inside to hibernate during the winter. You might find them in your attic or hidden in the walls during cooler weather.

They’re called cluster flies because they gather in large numbers. They can be quite a nuisance, especially when the thermometer rises, and they come out of hibernation. They love to hang around fields and pastures where there are animals.

Cluster flies are notably larger than houseflies, measuring around a half-inch in length. Their thorax, or chest area, is distinguished by a golden hue, a result of the fine hairs that cover it. This golden color gives them a distinctive, shiny appearance.

The abdomen of this fly is a dark color, and variations of light and dark gray make a checkered pattern. Their wings overlap and protect the abdomen when they’re at rest. When comparing these flies with other common household varieties, their movements are more sluggish.

The difference between the housefly and cluster fly is that the cluster fly is much larger and has fine hairs on its thorax and a golden sheen on its chest.

5. Deer Fly

Deer flies are small but tough insects. The males feed on nectar, and the females feed on blood. They have no problem biting you, and their bites are pretty painful. They’re more active in warmer months but don’t usually come inside. You’ll likely encounter them outside in wide-open spaces.

When it comes to the deer fly, they are usually gray or a light brown color variation. Their eyes have bright colors and are compounded. Their wings have a shimmer to them as they’re iridescent. There are black bands around the wings too, which give them a distinctive appearance. They can be anywhere from one-fourth to one-half an inch in size.

6. Blowfly

Blowflies, often found feeding on decaying matter or hovering around feces, play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Their presence aids in decomposition, which is a vital process. Thankfully, they don’t infest homes. However, they may venture indoors in search of food and a suitable place to lay their eggs.

The blowfly is colorful, but don’t let their shiny exterior fool you. These flies carry plenty of bacteria on their legs. They have color variations of metallic blue, green, or black. The bodies of these flies are large and hairy, and they have eyes that are compounded and a vivid red color. Their transparent wings encase their body when they’re at rest, and they can get up to a half-inch in length.

7. March Brown Mayfly

Mayflies can be quite problematic in the spring season. However, they’re an essential part of the ecosystem as the trout and other fish rely on them for nourishment. The mayfly looks for riverside accommodations as they mate and lay their eggs on the water’s surface.

They have a very short lifespan of about 1-2 days. Anglers often study this fly to observe its patterns and mimic them during fly-fishing. While a couple of species of mayflies frequent The Garden State, the March Brown has a distinct appearance.

An adult can reach upwards of one-fourth to one-half an inch in length. The mayfly has a large body, and their wings are translucent. Their midsection has many shades of brown, but there’s often a darker pattern of black mixed in there, too. The forewings are significantly larger than the hindwings, and at rest, they tend to hold them in the upright position.

Males and females have slight variations, and the female is larger than the male. These flies are known for their earthy tones and unique wing patterns, making them easily distinguish from other mayfly species.

8. African Fig Fly

The African fig fly is a smaller fly found anywhere in this state. It’s commonly seen near decaying fruits, which is how it got its name. The African fig fly loves figs, especially if they’re overripened.

Ironically, this fly came from Africa, but they’ve spread all over the United States, assembling in areas with warm and humid climates. They are a common pest in orchards and gardens, as they prefer to be outside rather than in. However, they can come into your home, especially if decaying fruit is present. Thankfully, they won’t infest your home like other species.

The African fig fly is known for its unique striped thorax and its role in speeding fruit decay, which can be a significant concern for farmers.

9. Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are problematic in the kitchen area, especially if you have decaying fruits and vegetables. They love sugary substances and fermenting items and thrive in environments where it’s moist and warm. They will swarm around garbage disposals and drains, but they shouldn’t be confused with drain flies, which are a different species.

The fruit fly can reproduce rapidly and use over ripened produce to lay eggs. They’re not harmful to humans and can’t bite you, but their presence can be a nuisance. Fruit flies are tiny, measuring less than one-fourth an inch in length. They have unique bright red or dark-colored eyes.

A fruit fly is typically a light brown color with a slightly darker abdomen. Their wings are transparent, and they have fine hairs covering their bodies. Even though these critters are small, they have rapid and unpredictable flight patterns. Their speed helps them to get to a food source and go unnoticed in your kitchen.

10. Lake Darner Dragonfly

The Lake Darner Dragonfly is a beautiful, large insect. These predatory creatures eat smaller insects like mosquitoes and other smaller flies. Most people don’t think of the dragonfly as a pest, and its place in the ecosystem is vital.

The dragonfly helps control pest populations near lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. They prefer areas where there’s abundant vegetation. Lake Darners don’t typically enter homes; they like to be outside and near the water’s edge. Seeing their presence near any body of water indicates a healthy ecosystem.

These flies are known for their agility and beauty. They are often seen on patrol near water, searching for their prey. Dragonflies are admired for their beauty. They are significant in size and can reach up to 1.25 inches in length. This dragonfly species has a brilliant blue and green body and distinctive markings on the thorax.

While other species of dragonflies exist in this area, this is the most seen species. The abdomen has blue spots that go the entire length, and the thorax is a solid green color with blue stripes. Their wings are translucent and have an intricate veined pattern.

The eyes of this dragonfly are quite large. In fact, they’re so large that it takes up most of the insect’s head. They have excellent vision from their vivid blue or green peepers, which they need for hunting. Unlike sluggish flies, the dragonfly has a powerful flight pattern and can swoop down and capture their prey while staying airborne.

Managing Fly Problems

New Jersey is home to many flies and other buzzing critters, and you’ve likely encountered most, if not all, on this list. While many of the ones listed here don’t infest your home, some will move in and take over. The good news is that even if flies torment you, they won’t last long, as many live only a few days.

However, if cluster flies or blowflies lay eggs in your home, it can be a never-ending problem. In these instances, it’s best to involve professional pest control to protect your sanity and keep bacteria from ruining food and contaminating surfaces.

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