Fanniidae
Encyclopedia
The Fanniidae are a small (285 species in 4 genera) group of true flies
largely confined to the Holarctic and temperate Neotropical regions.
There are 11 Afrotropical species, 29 Oriental, and 14 Australasian. See Biogeographic Regions.
Adults are medium-sized to small and usually have mainly dark body and leg colour. Males congregate in characteristic dancing swarms beneath trees; females are more retiring in habit. Larva
e are characterised by their flattened bodies with striking lateral protuberances, and live as scavengers in various kinds of decaying organic matter.
Lesser housefly Fannia canicularis picture http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/images/cain1807.jpg This is a worldwide synanthropic species.Other features are shown in this picture http://delta-intkey.com/britin/images/colfann.jpg
Fannidae are indicators useful to forensic entomologists
.Here is a picture of a muscoid fly maggot of the genus Fannia collected from a homicide victim during a murder investigation in northeastern Ohio
http://inverts.cmnh.org/Web_images/lARVA4-2.jpg
from which they may be distinguished by:
A (strictly)dorsal bristle on the hind tibia below the middle and in addition to the dorsal preapical; axillary vein strongly curved towards the wingtip so as if extended the axillary and anal veins would meet before reaching the wing tip; in males middle tibia with erect pubescence beneath; in females frontalia without crossed bristles, frontal orbits broad, convex towards median line of frons
and with two pairs of strong upper orbital bristles, the anterior pair turned outwards.For a pictorial atlas explaining these terms go tohttp://www.ento.csiro.au/biology/fly/fly.html# and for images to the Diptera.info site http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php
, Berlin http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112417954/ABSTRACT
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...
largely confined to the Holarctic and temperate Neotropical regions.
There are 11 Afrotropical species, 29 Oriental, and 14 Australasian. See Biogeographic Regions.
Adults are medium-sized to small and usually have mainly dark body and leg colour. Males congregate in characteristic dancing swarms beneath trees; females are more retiring in habit. Larva
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...
e are characterised by their flattened bodies with striking lateral protuberances, and live as scavengers in various kinds of decaying organic matter.
Lesser housefly Fannia canicularis picture http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/images/cain1807.jpg This is a worldwide synanthropic species.Other features are shown in this picture http://delta-intkey.com/britin/images/colfann.jpg
Fannidae are indicators useful to forensic entomologists
Forensic entomology
Forensic entomology is the application and study of insect and other arthropod biology to criminal matters. It is primarily associated with death investigations; however, it may also be used to detect drugs and poisons, determine the location of an incident, and find the presence and time of the...
.Here is a picture of a muscoid fly maggot of the genus Fannia collected from a homicide victim during a murder investigation in northeastern Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
http://inverts.cmnh.org/Web_images/lARVA4-2.jpg
Identifying characteristics for the family Fanniidae
The Fanniidae were once a sub-family of MuscidaeMuscidae
Muscidae are a family of flies found in the superfamily Muscoidea. The apical segment of the antennae of Muscidae are plumose, and the basal portion is smooth....
from which they may be distinguished by:
A (strictly)dorsal bristle on the hind tibia below the middle and in addition to the dorsal preapical; axillary vein strongly curved towards the wingtip so as if extended the axillary and anal veins would meet before reaching the wing tip; in males middle tibia with erect pubescence beneath; in females frontalia without crossed bristles, frontal orbits broad, convex towards median line of frons
Frons
Frons is the term used to describe the frontal area of an insect's head. It covers the upper part of the face above the clypeus and below and between the antennae. It supports the pharyngeal dilator muscles and usually bears an ocellus . The term itself is derived from the Latin frons "forehead"....
and with two pairs of strong upper orbital bristles, the anterior pair turned outwards.For a pictorial atlas explaining these terms go tohttp://www.ento.csiro.au/biology/fly/fly.html# and for images to the Diptera.info site http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php
Identification
- Chillcott, J.G. 1961. A revision of the Nearctic species of Fanniinae (Diptera: Muscidae). Can. Entomol. Suppl. 14, 295 p. Keys to Nearctic genera and species. Excellent figures.
- Willi HennigWilli HennigEmil Hans Willi Hennig was a German biologist who is considered the founder of phylogenetic systematics, also known as cladistics. With his works on evolution and systematics he revolutionised the view of the natural order of beings...
Muscidae in Erwin LindnerErwin LindnerErwin Lindner was a German entomologist mainly interested in Diptera.He was born in Böglins, Memmingen , 7 April 1888 and died in Stuttgart 30 November 1988, aged 100 years....
: Die Fliegen der Paläarktischen Region,7 (63b) 1-1110. Out of date. But good keys and figures. - Lyneborg, L. 1970. Taxonomy of European Fannia larvae (Diptera, Fanniidae) Stuttg. Beitr. Naturkd. 215, 28 p.
Species lists
Other
Types in Humboldt MuseumHumboldt Museum
The Museum für Naturkunde, officially the ' or Naturkundemuseum , occasionally known as the Humboldt Museum, is a natural history museum in Berlin, Germany. Usually the museum's name is abbreviated MFN...
, Berlin http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112417954/ABSTRACT