List of obsolete names in Diptera
Encyclopedia
The higher-level classification of the insect
order Diptera
is in a constant state of flux, and over the last several decades, a vast number of names have been variously proposed, rejected, had their definitions changed, or altered spelling. Keeping track of all of these names is a challenging task, especially as there is no consensus as to the proper classification that should be used for this order, as well as reflecting a more fundamental challenge to the entire underlying principles of classification, which is especially evident among Dipteran systematists. The purpose of this article is to serve as a reference in situations where a reader may encounter an obsolete name in a printed or online resource, and otherwise be unable to find it.
Secondarily, this list also contains names referring to fossil
taxa, whose placement into modern classifications is generally untenable, as classifications increasingly rely on molecular phylogenetics, which excludes fossils from consideration.
Family names in Nematocera
Families in the list below marked with a plus sign are extinct.
Cyclorrhapha
Cyclorrhapha
Cyclorrhapha
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
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...
is in a constant state of flux, and over the last several decades, a vast number of names have been variously proposed, rejected, had their definitions changed, or altered spelling. Keeping track of all of these names is a challenging task, especially as there is no consensus as to the proper classification that should be used for this order, as well as reflecting a more fundamental challenge to the entire underlying principles of classification, which is especially evident among Dipteran systematists. The purpose of this article is to serve as a reference in situations where a reader may encounter an obsolete name in a printed or online resource, and otherwise be unable to find it.
Secondarily, this list also contains names referring to fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
taxa, whose placement into modern classifications is generally untenable, as classifications increasingly rely on molecular phylogenetics, which excludes fossils from consideration.
Family names in NematoceraNematoceraNematocera , is a suborder of elongated flies with thin, segmented antennae and mostly aquatic larvae, consisting of the mosquitoes, crane flies, gnats, and midges....
Families in the list below marked with a plus sign are extinct.- +Ansorgiidae
- +Antefungivoridae
- Baenotidae - rank (genus) in CecidomyiidaeCecidomyiidaeCecidomyiidae is a family of flies known as gall midges or gall gnats. As the name implies, the larvae of most gall midges feed within plant tissue, creating abnormal plant growths called galls.These are very fragile small insects usually only 2–3 mm in length and many are less than...
- +Boholdoyidae
- Cecidomyidae - misspelling for CecidomyiidaeCecidomyiidaeCecidomyiidae is a family of flies known as gall midges or gall gnats. As the name implies, the larvae of most gall midges feed within plant tissue, creating abnormal plant growths called galls.These are very fragile small insects usually only 2–3 mm in length and many are less than...
- Cramptonomyiidae - rank in Pachyneuridae
- +Crosaphididae
- +Dixamimidae - extinct (Middle Jurassic) rank in ChaoboridaeChaoboridaeChaoboridae, commonly known as phantom midges, are a family of fairly common midges with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are closely related to Corethrellidae and Chironomidae; the adults are differentiated through peculiarities in wing venation. If they eat at all, the adults feed on nectar. The...
- +Elliidae
- +Gracilitipulidae
- +Grauvogeliidae
- +Hennigmatidae
- Hyperoscelididae - rank in Canthyloscelidae
- Leptoconopidae - rank in CeratopogonidaeCeratopogonidaeCeratopogonidae, or biting midges , are a family of small flies in the order Diptera...
- Lestremiidae - rank in CecidomyiidaeCecidomyiidaeCecidomyiidae is a family of flies known as gall midges or gall gnats. As the name implies, the larvae of most gall midges feed within plant tissue, creating abnormal plant growths called galls.These are very fragile small insects usually only 2–3 mm in length and many are less than...
- +Limnorhyphidae
- +Luanpingitidae
- Macroceridae - rank in Keroplatidae
- +Mesosciophilidae
- Mycetobiidae - rank in AnisopodidaeAnisopodidaeAnisopodidae is a small cosmopolitan family of gnat-like flies known as wood gnats or window-gnats with 154 described extant species in 15 genera, and several described fossil taxa. Some species are saprophagous or fungivorous. They are mostly small to medium-sized flies, except the genera...
- +Nadipteridae
- Nemopalpidae - rank in PsychodidaePsychodidaeThe nematoceran family Psychodidae are small true flies with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a "furry" moth-like appearance...
- Olbiogastridae - rank in AnisopodidaeAnisopodidaeAnisopodidae is a small cosmopolitan family of gnat-like flies known as wood gnats or window-gnats with 154 described extant species in 15 genera, and several described fossil taxa. Some species are saprophagous or fungivorous. They are mostly small to medium-sized flies, except the genera...
- +Oreodomyiidae
- Orphnephilidae - rank in ThaumaleidaeThaumaleidaeThaumaleidae, the solitary midges or trickle midges, are a group of nematoceran flies related to the Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae, and the Simuliidae. They are small, stocky, yellow to brown flies . There are very few species known for this family...
- +Parapleciidae
- Penthrediidae - rank in BibionidaeBibionidaeBibionidae is a family of flies . Approximately 650-700 species are known worldwide.-Biology:...
- Phlebotomidae - rank in PsychodidaePsychodidaeThe nematoceran family Psychodidae are small true flies with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a "furry" moth-like appearance...
- +Phragmoligoneuridae - synonym for +Protopliciidae
- Pleciidae - rank in BibionidaeBibionidaeBibionidae is a family of flies . Approximately 650-700 species are known worldwide.-Biology:...
- +Procramptonomyiidae
- +Protopliciidae
- +Rhaetomyiidae extinct (Upper Triassic) rank in ChaoboridaeChaoboridaeChaoboridae, commonly known as phantom midges, are a family of fairly common midges with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are closely related to Corethrellidae and Chironomidae; the adults are differentiated through peculiarities in wing venation. If they eat at all, the adults feed on nectar. The...
- Rhyphidae - rank in AnisopodidaeAnisopodidaeAnisopodidae is a small cosmopolitan family of gnat-like flies known as wood gnats or window-gnats with 154 described extant species in 15 genera, and several described fossil taxa. Some species are saprophagous or fungivorous. They are mostly small to medium-sized flies, except the genera...
- +Serendipidae
- +Siberhyphidae
- +Sinotendipedidae
- Synneuridae - rank in Canthyloscelidae
- +Zhangobiidae
Non-cyclorrhaphan Brachycera
- Acanthomeridae - rank in PantophthalmidaePantophthalmidaePantophthalmidae is a small family of very large, robust flies, sometimes referred to as timber flies. There are about 22 known species in two genera in the family, all of Neotropical distribution. Superficially they resemble horse flies, but are only distantly related; they are most closely...
- +Alinkidae - extinct (TriassicTriassicThe Triassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about 250 to 200 Mya . As the first period of the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic follows the Permian and is followed by the Jurassic. Both the start and end of the Triassic are marked by major extinction events...
) - +Archisargidae - extinct (Middle Jurassic)
- Coenomyiidae - rank in XylophagidaeXylophagidaeThe Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered to be two small related families...
- Cyrtosiidae - rank in MythicomyiidaeMythicomyiidaeMythicomyiids are very tiny flies found throughout most parts of the world, especially desert and semi-desert regions, except the highest altitudes and latitudes. They are not as common in the tropics, but genera such as Cephalodromia and Platypygus are known from these regions...
- +Eomyiidae - extinct (Middle Jurassic)
- +Eostratiomyiidae - extinct (Middle JurassicJurassicThe Jurassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about Mya to Mya, that is, from the end of the Triassic to the beginning of the Cretaceous. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic era, also known as the age of reptiles. The start of the period is marked by...
) - +Eremochaetidae - extinct (CretaceousCretaceousThe Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
, Jurassic) - Exeretonevridae - rank in XylophagidaeXylophagidaeThe Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered to be two small related families...
- Glutopidae - rank in Pelecorhychidae
- Heterostomidae - rank in XylophagidaeXylophagidaeThe Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered to be two small related families...
- Microphoridae - rank in DolichopodidaeDolichopodidaeDolichopodidae, the long-legged flies, make up a large family of true flies with more than 7,000 described species in about 230 genera distributed worldwide. The genus Dolichopus is the most speciose, with some 600 species. They are generally small flies with large, prominent eyes and a metallic...
- Mydaidae - misspelling of Mydidae
- +Palaeostratiomyiidae - extinct (Middle Jurassic) rank in RhagionidaeRhagionidaeRhagionidae or snipe flies are a small family of flies containing 21 genera.-Description:Rhagionidae are medium-sized or large flies with slender bodies and stilt-like legs. The mouthparts are adapted for piercing and many species are haematophagous as adults, while others are predatory on other...
- +Protempididae - extinct (Upper Jurassic)
- +Protobrachycerontidae - extinct (Lower Jurassic) rank in VermileonidaeVermileonidaeThe Brachyceran family Vermileonidae is a small family of uncertain affinities and unusual biology, containing fewer than 80 rare species in 10 genera. Historically the Vermileonids had been regarded as belonging to the family Rhagionidae, possibly in a subfamily Vermileoninae...
- +Protocyrtidae - extinct (Middle Jurassic) rank in Heloridae, HymenopteraHymenopteraHymenoptera is one of the largest orders of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees and ants. There are over 130,000 recognized species, with many more remaining to be described. The name refers to the heavy wings of the insects, and is derived from the Ancient Greek ὑμήν : membrane and...
- originally misidentified as Diptera - +Protomphralidae - extinct (Middle Jurassic)
- Rachiceridae - rank in XylophagidaeXylophagidaeThe Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered to be two small related families...
- +Rhagionempididae - extinct (Middle Jurassic)
- Solvidae - rank in XylomyidaeXylomyidaeXylomyidae or wood soldier flies is a family of Diptera associated with dead or dying wood .-Genera:*Solva*Solva marginata *Solva minuta*Solva nigritibialis*Solva varia*Xylomya...
- Stratiomyiidae - misspelling for StratiomyidaeStratiomyidaeThe soldier flies , are a family of flies . The family contains about 1,500 species in about 400 genera worldwide. Adults are found near larval habitats...
- Systropodidae - rank in BombyliidaeBombyliidaeBombyliidae is a large family of flies with hundreds of genera, although their life cycles are not well known. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, thus are pollinators of flowers. They superficially resemble bees, thus are commonly called bee flies, and this may offer the adults some...
- Usiidae - rank in BombyliidaeBombyliidaeBombyliidae is a large family of flies with hundreds of genera, although their life cycles are not well known. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, thus are pollinators of flowers. They superficially resemble bees, thus are commonly called bee flies, and this may offer the adults some...
CyclorrhaphaCyclorrhaphaCyclorrhapha is an unranked taxon within the infraorder Muscomorpha. They are called "Cyclorrhapha" with reference to the circular aperture through which the adult escapes the puparium...
- AschizaAschizaAschiza is a section of Brachycera. There are two large families in this group, Syrphidae and Phoridae, and a number of smaller taxa. They are similar to most of the familiar Muscomorpha with one notable exception; they do not possess a ptilinum, and therefore lack the prominent ptilinal suture on...
- Aenigmatiidae - rank in Phoridae
- Microdontidae - rank in Syrphidae
- Sciadoceridae - rank in Phoridae
- Termitoxeniidae - rank in Phoridae
- Thaumatoxenidae - rank in Phoridae
CyclorrhaphaCyclorrhaphaCyclorrhapha is an unranked taxon within the infraorder Muscomorpha. They are called "Cyclorrhapha" with reference to the circular aperture through which the adult escapes the puparium...
- AcalyptrataeAcalyptrataeAcalyptratae is a subsection of Schizophora, commonly referred to as the acalyptrate muscoids . It is a very large assemblage, exhibiting very diverse habits, with one notable and perhaps surprising exception; there are no known acalyptrates that are obligate blood-feeders , though this is a life...
- Borboridae - synonym for SphaeroceridaeSphaeroceridaeSphaeroceridae are a family of true flies in the order Diptera, often called small dung flies, lesser dung flies or lesser corpse flies due to their saprophagous habits. They belong to the typical fly suborder Brachycera as can be seen by their short antennae, and more precisely they are members of...
- Borboropsidae - rank in HeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. There are over 650 described species of Heleomyzidae in about 80 genera and 22 tribes distributed throughout the world; the greatest number occur in the Holarctic Region. Approximately 100 species of Heleomyzidae are found in...
- Calobatidae - rank in MicropezidaeMicropezidaeThe Micropezidae are a moderate-sized family of acalyptrate muscoid flies in the insect order Diptera, comprising about 500 species in about 50 genera and 5 subfamilies worldwide,...
- Campichoetidae - rank in DiastatidaeDiastatidaeDiastatidae are a type of flies, and are in the family Diptera. They occur primarily in the Holarctic Region, but several species are known from the Oriental, Neotropical, and Australasian regions. Members of the family number over 20 described species in three genera...
- Canaceidae - misspelling of CanacidaeCanacidaeCanacidae, incorrectly Canaceidae, or beach flies, surf or surge flies, is a family of Diptera.There are 113 species in 12 genera.-Family description:See Drawings of Canace.-References:...
- Centrioncidae - rank in Diopsidae
- Chiropteromyzidae - rank in HeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. There are over 650 described species of Heleomyzidae in about 80 genera and 22 tribes distributed throughout the world; the greatest number occur in the Holarctic Region. Approximately 100 species of Heleomyzidae are found in...
- Cnemospathidae - rank in HeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. There are over 650 described species of Heleomyzidae in about 80 genera and 22 tribes distributed throughout the world; the greatest number occur in the Holarctic Region. Approximately 100 species of Heleomyzidae are found in...
- Cremifaniidae - rank in ChamaemyiidaeChamaemyiidaeChamaemyiidae is a small family of acalyptrate flies with less than 200 species described worldwide. The larvae of these small flies are active and predatory and are often used for biological control of aphids, scale insects and similar pests...
- Cypselidae - synonym for SphaeroceridaeSphaeroceridaeSphaeroceridae are a family of true flies in the order Diptera, often called small dung flies, lesser dung flies or lesser corpse flies due to their saprophagous habits. They belong to the typical fly suborder Brachycera as can be seen by their short antennae, and more precisely they are members of...
- Diopseidae - misspelling of Diopsidae
- Eurygnathomyidae - rank in PallopteridaePallopteridaePallopteridae, or flutter-wing flies is a family of Diptera. Over 50 species in 15 genera are found in the temperate regions of the Northern and Southern hemispheres.-Biology:Little is known. Adults have been found on flowers and low hanging branches in shady habits...
- Euxestidae - rank in Ulidiidae
- Heteromyzidae - rank in HeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. There are over 650 described species of Heleomyzidae in about 80 genera and 22 tribes distributed throughout the world; the greatest number occur in the Holarctic Region. Approximately 100 species of Heleomyzidae are found in...
- Mindidae - synonym for ChloropidaeChloropidaeChloropidae is a family of flies commonly known as frit flies or grass flies. There are approximately 2000 described species in over 160 genera distributed worldwide. These are usually very small flies, yellow or black and appearing shiny due to the virtual absence of any hairs. The majority of the...
- Neottiophilidae - rank in Piophilidae
- Notomyzidae - rank in HeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. There are over 650 described species of Heleomyzidae in about 80 genera and 22 tribes distributed throughout the world; the greatest number occur in the Holarctic Region. Approximately 100 species of Heleomyzidae are found in...
- Otitidae - rank in Ulidiidae
- Phycodromidae - synonym for CoelopidaeCoelopidaeCoelopidae or kelp flies are a family of Acalyptratae Diptera, they are sometimes also called seaweed flies, though this term is used for a number of seashore diptera...
- Proneottiophilidae - rank in PsilidaePsilidaePsilidae is family of two-winged flies. Commonly called the rust flies, there are at least 38 species in 4 genera. The Carrot fly is a member of this group.-Family Description:...
- Pterocallidae - rank in Ulidiidae
- Rhinotoridae - rank in HeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. There are over 650 described species of Heleomyzidae in about 80 genera and 22 tribes distributed throughout the world; the greatest number occur in the Holarctic Region. Approximately 100 species of Heleomyzidae are found in...
- Rhopalomeridae - misspelling of Ropalomeridae
- Risidae - rank in EphydridaeEphydridaeEphydridae is a family of insects in the order Diptera.Shore flies are tiny flies that can be found near seashores or at smaller inland waters, such as ponds...
- Sapromyzidae - rank in LauxaniidaeLauxaniidaeLauxaniidae is a family of acalyptrate flies. It contains around 1800 described species in 126 genera distributed worldwide. These are generally small flies with large compound eyes, often brightly coloured in life. Many species have different patterned wings...
- Sepsididae - misspelling of SepsidaeSepsidaeSepsidae are a family of flies, commonly called the black scavenger flies or ensign flies. There are approximately 250 species worldwide. They are usually found around dung or decaying plant and animal material. Many species resemble ants having a "waist" and glossy black body...
- Siphonellopsidae - rank in ChloropidaeChloropidaeChloropidae is a family of flies commonly known as frit flies or grass flies. There are approximately 2000 described species in over 160 genera distributed worldwide. These are usually very small flies, yellow or black and appearing shiny due to the virtual absence of any hairs. The majority of the...
- Stenomicridae - rank in Persicelididae
- Strongylophthalmidae - misspelling of Strongylophthalmyiidae
- Strongylophthalmyiidae - rank in TanypezidaeTanypezidaeTanypezidae is a small family of medium-sized true flies found in the Nearctic Palaearctic and Neotropic zoogeographic regions. Some species have luminous silver or gold coloration.-Taxonomy:...
- Stylogastridae (or Stylogasteridae) - rank in ConopidaeConopidaeConopidae, usually known as the thick-headed flies, is a family of flies within the Brachycera suborder of Diptera. Flies of the family Conopidae are distributed worldwide except for the poles and many of the Pacific islands. About 800 species in 47 genera are described worldwide, approximately 70...
- Taeniapteridae - rank in MicropezidaeMicropezidaeThe Micropezidae are a moderate-sized family of acalyptrate muscoid flies in the insect order Diptera, comprising about 500 species in about 50 genera and 5 subfamilies worldwide,...
- Tetanoceridae - rank in SciomyzidaeSciomyzidaeThe family Sciomyzidae belongs to the typical flies of the order Diptera. They are commonly called marsh flies, and in some cases snail-killing flies due to the food of their larvae....
- Thyreophoridae - rank in Piophilidae
- Trixoscelididae - rank in HeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidaeHeleomyzidae is a small family of true flies in the insect order Diptera. There are over 650 described species of Heleomyzidae in about 80 genera and 22 tribes distributed throughout the world; the greatest number occur in the Holarctic Region. Approximately 100 species of Heleomyzidae are found in...
- Trypetidae - rank in TephritidaeTephritidaeTephritidae is one of two fly families referred to as "fruit flies", the other family being Drosophilidae. Tephritidae does not include the biological model organisms of the genus Drosophila , which is often called the "common fruit fly". There are nearly 5,000 described species of tephritid...
- Tunisimyiidae - rank in Xenasteiidae
- Tylidae - rank in MicropezidaeMicropezidaeThe Micropezidae are a moderate-sized family of acalyptrate muscoid flies in the insect order Diptera, comprising about 500 species in about 50 genera and 5 subfamilies worldwide,...
CyclorrhaphaCyclorrhaphaCyclorrhapha is an unranked taxon within the infraorder Muscomorpha. They are called "Cyclorrhapha" with reference to the circular aperture through which the adult escapes the puparium...
- CalyptrataeCalyptrataeCalyptratae is a subsection of Schizophora in the insect order Diptera, commonly referred to as the calyptrate muscoids...
- Acridomyiidae - rank in AnthomyiidaeAnthomyiidaeAnthomyiidae is a large and diverse family of Muscoidea flies. Name came from Greek "anthos" + "myia" . Some species are commonly called "root-maggots", as the larvae are found in the stems and roots of various plants...
- Anthomylidae (or Anthomyidae) - misspelling of AnthomyiidaeAnthomyiidaeAnthomyiidae is a large and diverse family of Muscoidea flies. Name came from Greek "anthos" + "myia" . Some species are commonly called "root-maggots", as the larvae are found in the stems and roots of various plants...
- Axiniidae - rank in RhinophoridaeRhinophoridaeRhinophoridae are a small family of flies with around 500 species. Rhinophoridae are found in all zoogeographic regions except Australasia and Oceania but mainly in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions....
- Cordyluridae - rank in ScathophagidaeScathophagidaeThe Scathophagidae is a small family of Muscoidea which are often known as "Dung-flies" although this name is not appropriate except for a few species of the genus Scathophaga which do indeed pass their larval stages in animal dung. The name probably derives from the "Common Yellow Dung-fly", S...
- Cuterebridae - rank in Oestridae
- Dexiidae - rank in TachinidaeTachinidaeTachinidae is a large and rather variable family of true flies within the insect order Diptera, with more than 8,200 known species and many more to be discovered. There are over 1300 species in North America. Insects in this family are commonly called tachina flies or simply tachinids...
- Eginiidae - rank in MuscidaeMuscidaeMuscidae 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....
- Gastrophilidae - rank in Oestridae
- Hypodermatidae - rank in Oestridae
- Leucostomatidae - rank in Sarcophagidae
- Mesembrinellidae - rank in Calliphoridae
- Phasiidae - rank in TachinidaeTachinidaeTachinidae is a large and rather variable family of true flies within the insect order Diptera, with more than 8,200 known species and many more to be discovered. There are over 1300 species in North America. Insects in this family are commonly called tachina flies or simply tachinids...
- Scatophagidae - misspelling of ScathophagidaeScathophagidaeThe Scathophagidae is a small family of Muscoidea which are often known as "Dung-flies" although this name is not appropriate except for a few species of the genus Scathophaga which do indeed pass their larval stages in animal dung. The name probably derives from the "Common Yellow Dung-fly", S...
; ScatophagidaeScatophagidaeThe scats are a small family, Scatophagidae, of fishes in the order Perciformes.They are small fish native to the Indian and western Pacific Ocean that have been popular in the aquarium trade in the last 30 years...
is a family of fish - Stackelbergomyiidae - rank in TachinidaeTachinidaeTachinidae is a large and rather variable family of true flies within the insect order Diptera, with more than 8,200 known species and many more to be discovered. There are over 1300 species in North America. Insects in this family are commonly called tachina flies or simply tachinids...
- Villeneuviellidae - rank in Calliphoridae
Higher level invalid names
- Anthomyiidea - superfamily, now in MuscoideaMuscoideaMuscoidea is a superfamily of flies in the subsection Calyptratae....
- Asilidea - rank in AsiloideaAsiloideaAsiloidea is a very large cosmopolitan superfamily of Diptera. The former infraorder Asilomorpha is paraphyletic and thus not a natural group; as its type taxon the Asiloidea would still belong there in any case, but current knowledge of brachyceran relationships would make it monotypic: the...
- Bibionidea - rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Bolitophilidea - invalid superfamily in BibionomorphaBibionomorphaBibionomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. One of its constituent families, the Anisopodidae, is the presumed sister taxon to the entire suborder Brachycera. Several of the remaining families in the infraorder are former subfamilies of the Mycetophilidae, which has been recently subdivided...
- Bombyliidea - rank in AsiloideaAsiloideaAsiloidea is a very large cosmopolitan superfamily of Diptera. The former infraorder Asilomorpha is paraphyletic and thus not a natural group; as its type taxon the Asiloidea would still belong there in any case, but current knowledge of brachyceran relationships would make it monotypic: the...
- Borboridea - rank in family StratiomyomorphaStratiomyomorphaThe brachyceran infraorder Stratiomyomorpha is a small group that consists primarily of the family Stratiomyidae and two small related families.The larvae are often saprophages, and many can be found in rotting wood....
- Braulomorpha - infraorder, now in superfamily CarnoideaCarnoideaCarnoidea are a superfamily of Acalyptratae flies.-External links:*, Dedicated website...
- Chironomidea - rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Chloropidea - superfamily, now in CarnoideaCarnoideaCarnoidea are a superfamily of Acalyptratae flies.-External links:*, Dedicated website...
- Conopidea - rank in Conopoidea
- Culicidea - rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Culicimorpha - misspelling? of CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Dixidea - rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Drosophiloidea - superfamily, roughly equivalent to EphydroideaEphydroideaEphydroidea is a superfamily of flies....
- Empididea - rank in EmpidoideaEmpidoideaThe Empidoidea are a large monophyletic superfamily of true flies, the sister taxon to the Muscomorpha . These two groups are sometimes united in the unranked taxon Eremoneura...
- Gastrophilidea - rank in family Oestridae
- Glossinidea - rank in superfamily HippoboscoideaHippoboscoideaHippoboscoidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae. The flies in this superfamily are blood-feeding obligate parasites of their hosts. Five families are often placed here:* Glossinidae* Hippoboscidae...
- Heleomyzidea - superfamily, redistributed to SphaeroceroideaSphaeroceroideaSphaeroceroidea is a superfamily of flies. It includes the cosmopolitan families of Sphaeroceridae , Heleomyzidae, and Chyromyidae, as well as a few smaller groups....
, SciomyzoideaSciomyzoideaSciomyzoidea is a superfamily of Acalyptratae flies.The families placed here are:* Coelopidae – seaweed flies* Dryomyzidae* Helosciomyzidae * Ropalomeridae* Heterocheilidae* Sepsidae – scavenger flies...
and OpomyzoideaOpomyzoideaOpomyzoidea is a superfamily of flies.-External links:*... - Hippoboscidea - rank in superfamily HippoboscoideaHippoboscoideaHippoboscoidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae. The flies in this superfamily are blood-feeding obligate parasites of their hosts. Five families are often placed here:* Glossinidae* Hippoboscidae...
- Mesophantasmatidea - rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Muscidea - rank in superfamily MuscoideaMuscoideaMuscoidea is a superfamily of flies in the subsection Calyptratae....
- Musidoromorpha - rank in superfamily PlatypezoideaPlatypezoideaThe Platypezoidea are a superfamily of true flies of the section Aschiza. Their closest living relatives are the Syrphoidea, which for example contain the hoverflies. Like these, the adults do not bust open their pupal case with a ptilinum when hatching, and thus the Aschiza do not have the...
- Myiomorpha - infraorder, roughly equivalent to CyclorrhaphaCyclorrhaphaCyclorrhapha is an unranked taxon within the infraorder Muscomorpha. They are called "Cyclorrhapha" with reference to the circular aperture through which the adult escapes the puparium...
- Nycteribiomorpha - rank in superfamily HippoboscoideaHippoboscoideaHippoboscoidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae. The flies in this superfamily are blood-feeding obligate parasites of their hosts. Five families are often placed here:* Glossinidae* Hippoboscidae...
- Oestridea - rank in supefamily OestroideaOestroideaOestroidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae....
- Orphnephilidea - rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Pachyneuridea - invalid superfamily in BibionomorphaBibionomorphaBibionomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. One of its constituent families, the Anisopodidae, is the presumed sister taxon to the entire suborder Brachycera. Several of the remaining families in the infraorder are former subfamilies of the Mycetophilidae, which has been recently subdivided...
- Phoromorpha - rank in superfamily PlatypezoideaPlatypezoideaThe Platypezoidea are a superfamily of true flies of the section Aschiza. Their closest living relatives are the Syrphoidea, which for example contain the hoverflies. Like these, the adults do not bust open their pupal case with a ptilinum when hatching, and thus the Aschiza do not have the...
- Phragmoligoneuridea - extinct rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Platypezidea - rank in superfamily PlatypezoideaPlatypezoideaThe Platypezoidea are a superfamily of true flies of the section Aschiza. Their closest living relatives are the Syrphoidea, which for example contain the hoverflies. Like these, the adults do not bust open their pupal case with a ptilinum when hatching, and thus the Aschiza do not have the...
- Psilidea - superfamily, redistributed to DiopsoideaDiopsoideaThe Diopsoidea is a small but diverse cosmopolitan superfamily of acalyptrate muscoids, especially prevalent in the tropics. There is some flux in the family constituency of this group , and the final classification is likely to require the use of molecular systematics....
and NerioideaNerioideaNerioidea is a superfamily of Acalyptratae flies.... - Pupipara - archaic equivalent of superfamily HippoboscoideaHippoboscoideaHippoboscoidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae. The flies in this superfamily are blood-feeding obligate parasites of their hosts. Five families are often placed here:* Glossinidae* Hippoboscidae...
- Rhaetomyiidea - rank in infraorder CulicomorphaCulicomorphaCulicomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. It includes mosquitoes, black flies, and several extant and extinct families of insect.-Classification:Extant families* Superfamily Culicoidea** Dixidae -meniscus midges** Corethrellidae -frog biting midges...
- Rhyphidea - rank in infraorder BibionomorphaBibionomorphaBibionomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera. One of its constituent families, the Anisopodidae, is the presumed sister taxon to the entire suborder Brachycera. Several of the remaining families in the infraorder are former subfamilies of the Mycetophilidae, which has been recently subdivided...
- Sapromyzidea - superfamily, redistributed between LauxanioideaLauxanioideaLauxanioidea is a superfamily of flies that includes the two large families, the Lauxaniidae and Chamaemyiidae, and the small families Eurychoromyiidae and Celyphidae. Generally they are small to medium, densely populated, coloured flies. Chamaemyiidae and Cremifaniidae live as parasites on insects...
and TephritoideaTephritoideaThe Tephritoidea are a superfamily of flies. The following families are included:* Lonchaeidae - lance flies* Pallopteridae - flutter flies* Piophilidae - skippers* Platystomatidae - signal flies* Pyrgotidae* Richardiidae* Tephritidae - fruit flies... - Sarcophagidea - rank in superfamily OestroideaOestroideaOestroidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae....
- Somatiidea - superfamily, now in DiopsoideaDiopsoideaThe Diopsoidea is a small but diverse cosmopolitan superfamily of acalyptrate muscoids, especially prevalent in the tropics. There is some flux in the family constituency of this group , and the final classification is likely to require the use of molecular systematics....
- Stratiomyidea - synonym for superfamily StratiomyomorphaStratiomyomorphaThe brachyceran infraorder Stratiomyomorpha is a small group that consists primarily of the family Stratiomyidae and two small related families.The larvae are often saprophages, and many can be found in rotting wood....
- Streblomorpha - rank in superfamily HippoboscoideaHippoboscoideaHippoboscoidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae. The flies in this superfamily are blood-feeding obligate parasites of their hosts. Five families are often placed here:* Glossinidae* Hippoboscidae...
- Syrphidea - rank in superfamily SyrphoideaSyrphoideaSyrphoidea is a superfamily of flies containing only two families under present classification, one of which has a great number of the most common and familiar flies....
- Tabanidea - synonym for superfamily TabanomorphaTabanomorphaThe Brachyceran infraorder Tabanomorpha is a small group that consists primarily of two large families, the Tabanidae and Rhagionidae , and an assortment of very small affiliated families, most of which have been included within the Rhagionidae...
- Tachinidea - rank in superfamily OestroideaOestroideaOestroidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae....
- Termitoxeniomorpha - rank in superfamily PlatypezoideaPlatypezoideaThe Platypezoidea are a superfamily of true flies of the section Aschiza. Their closest living relatives are the Syrphoidea, which for example contain the hoverflies. Like these, the adults do not bust open their pupal case with a ptilinum when hatching, and thus the Aschiza do not have the...
- Trypetidea - superfamily, now in superfamily TephritoideaTephritoideaThe Tephritoidea are a superfamily of flies. The following families are included:* Lonchaeidae - lance flies* Pallopteridae - flutter flies* Piophilidae - skippers* Platystomatidae - signal flies* Pyrgotidae* Richardiidae* Tephritidae - fruit flies...