Lauxaniidae

Lauxaniidae
Homoneura sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Suborder: Brachycera
Section: Schizophora
Subsection: Acalyptratae
Superfamily: Lauxanioidea
Family: Lauxaniidae
Macquart, 1835
Genera

see text.

Synonyms

Sapromyzidae

Lauxaniidae is a family of acalyptrate flies. It contains around 1800 described species in 126 genera distributed worldwide. These are generally small flies (length 5 mm or less) with large compound eyes, often brightly coloured in life. Many species have different patterned wings. Contrary to popular belief they do not have different patterned bodies

The majority of species are found in the tropical regions of Asia and the Americas, with the exception of the Afrotropical region where few are found. Their species diversity declines strongly in the more temperate regions. There are slightly fewer than 180 species from Europe. Most species are inhabitants of forests, to be found on low shrubs, trees, and leaves. They are far less commonly found amongst dry or wet grassland habitats.[1]

The larvae are mostly saprophagous, feeding in leaf litter, bird nests, etc.

Contents

Genera

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Merz, Bernhard (2004). "Revision of the Minettia fasciata species-group (Diptera, Lauxaniidae)" (PDF). Revue Suisse De Zoologie (Geneva: Muséum d'histoire naturelle) 111 (1): 183–211. http://www.diptera.info/downloads/Merz_2004.pdf. 

External links