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Glite Dictionary
spongillafly

spongillafly

9.9
A small insect whose young eat freshwater sponges in ponds and streams
  • noun
  • /spənˈjɪləˌflaɪ/
  • Specialized
: mosca esponjosa
  • The larvae of the spongillafly feed exclusively on Spongilla species in clean streams.

Examples

  • Researchers collected several spongillaflies during their study of aquatic insects.

  • A spongillafly was spotted near the pond, indicating the presence of freshwater sponges.

  • The spongillafly is often found near freshwater lakes.

  • Have you ever seen a spongillafly in its natural habitat?

  • A spongillafly was spotted near the pond, indicating the presence of freshwater sponges.

  • The larvae of the spongillafly feed exclusively on Spongilla species in clean streams.

  • Researchers collected several spongillaflies during their study of aquatic insects.

Synonyms

spongefly
vsspongillafly
  • Specialized
9.9

An insect with a hairy body whose young feed on freshwater sponges

is specific about family belonging instead of saying it usually belongs there

Surface Forms

spongillafly singular
spongillaflies plural

Morphology

spongillafly = spongilla + fly (transparent) = spongilla + fly

The word is a straightforward compound of 'spongilla' (a freshwater sponge) and 'fly', indicating a fly associated with that sponge.

Etymology

Spongillafly comes from the name of the freshwater sponge Spongilla and the word fly, so it literally means a 'sponge' fly. The insect's young feed on freshwater sponges, so imagining a fly whose babies eat a sponge helps you remember the meaning.