Lonchopteridae

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Muscoidea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Suborder: Brachycera Section: Aschiza Superfamily: Platypezoidea Family: Lonchopteridae

Lonchopteridae, or spear-winged flies, are small, slender (Diptera). Their common name is due to their pointed wings, which have a distinct venation. Males are very rare, at least in North American species, and have a somewhat different venation than do the females. Spear-winged flies are common in moist, shady, grassy areas, where the larvae are found within decaying vegetation. One species, Lonchoptera furcata Fallén is cosmopolitan in distribution, and may have been transported via shipments of vegetables.

[edit] References

• Borror, D.J., C.A. Triplehorn, & N.A. Johnson. 1989. An Introduction to the Study of Insects, Sixth edition. Saunders College Publishing.

[edit] External links

1. Lonchopteridae page at the Bishop Museum, Honolulu
2. Photograph of Lonchoptera furcata Fallén
3. Photograph of Lonchoptera lutea Panzer