Sciomyzidae
Encyclopedia
The family
Sciomyzidae belongs to the typical flies (Brachycera
) of the order
Diptera
. They are commonly called marsh flies, and in some cases snail-killing flies due to the food of their larva
e.
Here, the Huttoninidae, Phaeomyiidae and Tetanoceridae are provisionally included in the Sciomyzidae. Particularly the latter seem to be an unequivocal part of this group and are ranked as tribe
of subfamily Sciomyzinae by most modern authors, while the former two are very small lineages that may or may not stand outside the family and are provisionally ranked as subfamilies here. Whether the Salticellinae and the group around Sepedon warrant recognition as additional subfamilies or are better included in the Sciomyzinae proper is likewise not yet entirely clear. Altogether, the main point of contention is the relationship between the "Huttoninidae", "Phaeomyiidae", Sciomyzidae sensu stricto, and the Helosciomyzidae
which were also once included in the Sciomyzidae.
(upper hind leg). The wings are often mottled with various light brown markings according to species.
Marsh flies are common along the edges of ponds and rivers, and in marshy areas. The adults drink dew and nectar. The larva
e prey on or become parasites of Gastropoda
(slugs and snails). Very little is known about the complete life cycle
of these flies.
, 14 ISBN 90-04-07592-5 Hardback (224 pp., 639 figures, in English)
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...
Sciomyzidae belongs to the typical flies (Brachycera
Brachycera
Brachycera is a suborder of Diptera. It is a major suborder consisting of around 120 families. The most distinguishing characteristic of the suborder is reduced antenna segmentation...
) of the order
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
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...
. They are commonly called marsh flies, and in some cases snail-killing flies due to the food of their 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.
Here, the Huttoninidae, Phaeomyiidae and Tetanoceridae are provisionally included in the Sciomyzidae. Particularly the latter seem to be an unequivocal part of this group and are ranked as tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
of subfamily Sciomyzinae by most modern authors, while the former two are very small lineages that may or may not stand outside the family and are provisionally ranked as subfamilies here. Whether the Salticellinae and the group around Sepedon warrant recognition as additional subfamilies or are better included in the Sciomyzinae proper is likewise not yet entirely clear. Altogether, the main point of contention is the relationship between the "Huttoninidae", "Phaeomyiidae", Sciomyzidae sensu stricto, and the Helosciomyzidae
Helosciomyzidae
Helosciomyzidae is a very small family of flies. They comprise nine genera and 22 species.-Distribution:All are know from the Southern Hemisphere. With the exception of the South American genus Sciogriphoneura the family occurs in Australia, New Zealand.-Classification:*Cobergius Barnes, 1981*C....
which were also once included in the Sciomyzidae.
Description and ecology
Marsh flies are generally slender, yellowish or brownish, about 0.5-1 cm (0.25-0.5 in) long. They have fairly prominent eyes, prominent forward-pointing antennae, and bristles on the hind femoraArthropod leg
The arthropod leg is a form of jointed appendage of arthropods, usually used for walking. Many of the terms used for arthropod leg segments are of Latin origin, and may be confused with terms for bones: coxa , trochanter , femur, tibia, tarsus, ischium, metatarsus, carpus, dactylus ,...
(upper hind leg). The wings are often mottled with various light brown markings according to species.
Marsh flies are common along the edges of ponds and rivers, and in marshy areas. The adults drink dew and nectar. 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 prey on or become parasites of Gastropoda
Gastropoda
The Gastropoda or gastropods, more commonly known as snails and slugs, are a large taxonomic class within the phylum Mollusca. The class Gastropoda includes snails and slugs of all kinds and all sizes from microscopic to quite large...
(slugs and snails). Very little is known about the complete life cycle
Biological life cycle
A life cycle is a period involving all different generations of a species succeeding each other through means of reproduction, whether through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction...
of these flies.
Further reading
Rozkošný, R. The Sciomyzidae (Diptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark Fauna Entomologica ScandinavicaFauna Entomologica Scandinavica
Fauna Entomologica Scandinavica is a scientific book series of entomological identification manuals for insects in North-West Europe, mainly Fennoscandia and Denmark. The series is used by a number of groups, such as ecologists, biologists, and insect collectors...
, 14 ISBN 90-04-07592-5 Hardback (224 pp., 639 figures, in English)