Lonchopteridae
Encyclopedia
Lonchopteridae are a family
of small (2–5 mm), slender, yellow to brownish-black Diptera
, occurring all over the world. Their common name refers to their pointed wings
, which have a distinct venation. Most are bisexual; males are very rare however at least in North America
n species, and have a somewhat different venation than do the females.
Spear-winged flies are common in moist, shady, grassy areas, where the larva
e are found within decaying vegetation. One species, Lonchoptera bifurcata, is cosmopolitan
in distribution, and may have been transported via shipments of vegetable
s.
of flat-footed flies and allies (Platypezoidea
). If the Platypezoidea are restricted to the flat-footed flies sensu stricto, the spear-winged flies are united with the Ironomyiidae
and the coffin and scuttle flies (Phoridae) as Phoroidea. More rarely, they are treated as monotypic
superfamily Lonchopteroidea.
There are four living genera in this family, encompassing some 50 described species
altogether:
Two fossil
genera of spear-winged flies have been described:
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...
of small (2–5 mm), slender, yellow to brownish-black 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...
, occurring all over the world. Their common name refers to their pointed wings
Insect wing
Insects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities. Even our understanding of the aerodynamics of flexible, flapping wings and how...
, which have a distinct venation. Most are bisexual; males are very rare however at least in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n species, and have a somewhat different venation than do the females.
Spear-winged flies are common in moist, shady, grassy areas, where the 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 found within decaying vegetation. One species, Lonchoptera bifurcata, is cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan distribution
In biogeography, a taxon is said to have a cosmopolitan distribution if its range extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats. For instance, the killer whale has a cosmopolitan distribution, extending over most of the world's oceans. Other examples include humans, the lichen...
in distribution, and may have been transported via shipments of vegetable
Vegetable
The noun vegetable usually means an edible plant or part of a plant other than a sweet fruit or seed. This typically means the leaf, stem, or root of a plant....
s.
Systematics
They are usually placed in the superfamilyTaxonomic rank
In biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...
of flat-footed flies and allies (Platypezoidea
Platypezoidea
The 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...
). If the Platypezoidea are restricted to the flat-footed flies sensu stricto, the spear-winged flies are united with the Ironomyiidae
Ironomyiidae
Ironomyiidae or ironic flies , are a small family of insects of the order Diptera. Historically they have been included in the family Platypezidae. It includes only 3 living species, and a number extinct fossil species.-Living Species:...
and the coffin and scuttle flies (Phoridae) as Phoroidea. More rarely, they are treated as monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
superfamily Lonchopteroidea.
There are four living genera in this family, encompassing some 50 described species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
altogether:
- Homolonchoptera Yang, 1999
- LonchopteraLonchopteraLonchoptera, a genus of spear-winged flies , are tiny to small , slender, yellow to brownish-black bristly Diptera. Their common name refers to their subacute wings, which have a distinct and sexually dimorphic venation...
MeigenJohann Wilhelm MeigenJohann Wilhelm Meigen was a German entomologist famous for his pioneering work on Diptera.-Early years:Meigen was born in Solingen, the fifth of eight children of Johann Clemens Meigen and Sibylla Margaretha Bick. His parents, though not poor, were not wealthy either. The ran a small shop in...
, 1803 - Neolonchoptera Vaillant, 1989
- Spilolonchoptera Yang, 1998
Two fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
genera of spear-winged flies have been described:
- Lonchopterites Grimaldi & Cumming, 1999
- Lonchopteromorpha Grimaldi & Cumming, 1999