Anthomyiidae

Anthomyiidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Section: Schizophora
Subsection: Calyptratae
Superfamily: Muscoidea
Family: Anthomyiidae
Subfamilies
  • Anthomyiinae
  • Pegomyinae
Anthomyia pluvialis

Anthomyiidae is a large and diverse family of Muscoidea flies. Most look rather like small houseflies, but are commonly drab grey. The genus Anthomyia, in contrast, are generally conspicuously-patterned in black-and-white or black-and-silvery-grey. Most are difficult to identify, apart from a few groups such as the kelp flies that are conspicuous on beaches.

The name Anthomyiidae was derived from Greek "anthos" (flower) plus "myia" (a fly). Some species are commonly called "root-maggots", as the larvae are found in the stems and roots of various plants. As larvae, some also feed on decaying plant material. The well-known grey "seaweed flies" or "kelp flies" (Fucellia) are examples.[1] Others are scavengers in such places as birds' nests; yet other species are leaf miners; the family also includes inquilines, commensals, and parasitic larvae.

Some species in the family are significant agricultural pests, particularly some from the genus Delia, which includes the onion fly (Delia antiqua), the wheat bulb fly (Delia coarctata), the turnip root fly (Delia floralis), the bean seed fly (Delia platura) and the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum).

Description

For terms see Morphology of Diptera. Body small or moderate in size. Hypopleural bristles on sides of thorax apical. Anal vein of wing reaching the margin of the wings (except in Chelisia Rd). Median vein straight, not curved towards anterior alar margin. Three pairs of postsutural dorsocentral bristles almost always present.First segment of posteror tarsi on lower side near base with minute bristes. Sternopleuron lower side often with short soft hairs. Eyes in male in most cases close-set or contiguous. Females of many species not known to date.


Classification

  • Genus Amygdalops Lamb, 1914
  • Subfamily Anthomyiinae
  • Tribe Anthomyiini
Hylemya nigrimana
  • Tribe Chirosiini
  • Tribe Hydrophoriini
  • Subfamily Pegomyinae
  • Tribe Pegomyini
  • Genus Alliopsis Schnabl & Dziedzicki, 1911
  • Genus Emmesomyia Malloch, 1917
  • Genus Eutrichota Kowarz, 1893
  • Genus Mycophaga Rondani, 1856
  • Genus Paradelia Ringdahl, 1933
  • Genus Parapegomyia Griffiths, 1984
  • Genus Pegomya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830
  • Tribe Myopinini
  • Genus Pegoplata Schnabl & Dziedzicki, 1911
  • Genus Calythea Schnabl in Schnabl & Dziedzicki, 1911
  • Genus Myopina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Identification

Species lists

References

  1. Alan Weaving; Mike Picker; Griffiths, Charles Llewellyn (2003). Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. New Holland Publishers, Ltd. ISBN 1-86872-713-0.

See also

External links

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