Blephariceridae
Encyclopedia
Blephariceridae, commonly known as Net-winged midges, are a nematocera
n family
in the order Diptera
. The adults resemble crane flies except with a projecting anal angle in the wings, and different head shape, absence of the V on the mesonotum, and more laterally outstretched forward-facing legs. They are uncommon, but there are dozens of genera worldwide, and over 200 species.
They are found near fast flowing streams which the larvae
inhabit. Blepharicerid larvae are filter feeders and have suckers on their abdominal tergites, used to adhere to rocks in the torrents in which they live. These suckers are sometimes called creeping welts. These are of unique evolutionary origin within the Diptera
.
One recent classification based largely on fossil
s treats this family as the sole member of its infraorder, but this has not gained wide acceptance.
Nematocera
Nematocera , is a suborder of elongated flies with thin, segmented antennae and mostly aquatic larvae, consisting of the mosquitoes, crane flies, gnats, and midges....
n family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
in the order Diptera
Diptera
Diptera , or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. It is a large order, containing an estimated 240,000 species, although under half...
. The adults resemble crane flies except with a projecting anal angle in the wings, and different head shape, absence of the V on the mesonotum, and more laterally outstretched forward-facing legs. They are uncommon, but there are dozens of genera worldwide, and over 200 species.
They are found near fast flowing streams which the larvae
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
inhabit. Blepharicerid larvae are filter feeders and have suckers on their abdominal tergites, used to adhere to rocks in the torrents in which they live. These suckers are sometimes called creeping welts. These are of unique evolutionary origin within the Diptera
Diptera
Diptera , or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. It is a large order, containing an estimated 240,000 species, although under half...
.
One recent classification based largely on fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s treats this family as the sole member of its infraorder, but this has not gained wide acceptance.
Taxonomy
- Subfamily Blepharicerinae
- Tribe Blepharicerini
- genus Agathon Rodor, 1890
- species Agathon arizonica (Alexander, 1958)
- species Agathon aylmeri (Garrett, 1923)
- species Agathon comstocki (Kellogg, 1903)
- species Agathon dismalea (Hogue, 1970)
- species Agathon doanei (Kellogg, 1900)
- species Agathon elegantulus Roder, 1890
- species Agathon markii (Garrett, 1925)
- species Agathon sequoiarum (Alexander, 1952)
- genus Bibiocephala
- species Bibiocephala grandis Osten Sacken, 1874
- genus Blepharicera Macquart, 1843
- species Blepharicera appalachiae Hogue and Georgian, 1986
- species Blepharicera capitata (Loew, 1863)
- species Blepharicera cherokea Hogue, 1978
- species Blepharicera coweetae Hogue and Georgian, 1985
- species Blepharicera diminutiva Hogue, 1978
- species Blepharicera jordani (Kellogg, 1903)
- species Blepharicera micheneri (Alexander, 1959)
- species Blepharicera ostensackeni Kellogg, 1903
- species Blepharicera similans (Johannsen, 1929)
- species Blepharicera tenuipes (Walker, 1848)
- species Blepharicera williamsae (Alexander, 1953)
- species Blepharicera zionensis (Alexander, 1953)
- genus Philorus
- species Philorus californicus Hogue, 1966
- species Philorus jacinto Hogue, 1966
- species Philorus vanduzeei Alexander, 1963
- species Philorus yosemite (Osten Sacken, 1877)
- genus Agathon Rodor, 1890
- Tribe Blepharicerini
- Subfamily Edwardsininae
- genus EdwardsinaEdwardsinaEdwardsina is a genus of fly in family Blephariceridae. It contains the following species:* Edwardsina gigantea* Edwardsina tasmaniensis...
- species Edwardsina giganteaEdwardsina giganteaEdwardsina gigantea ot the giant torrent midge is a species of fly in family Blephariceridae. It is endemic to Australia.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1996. . Downloaded on 9 August 2007....
Zwick, 1977 - species Edwardsina tasmaniensisEdwardsina tasmaniensisEdwardsina tasmaniensis or the Tasmanian torrent midge is a species of fly in family Blephariceridae. It is endemic to Australia.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1996. . Downloaded on 9 August 2007....
Tonnoir, 1924
- species Edwardsina gigantea
- genus Paulianina
- genus Edwardsina
External links
- Tree of Life Blephariceromorpha
- Iowa State University Biology, Classification, Keys (introductory figure).
- Video of a Blepharicerid larva