Sphaeroceridae
Encyclopedia
Sphaeroceridae 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 antenna
e, and more precisely they are members of the section Schizophora
. There are over 1,300 species
and about 125 genera
accepted as valid today, but new taxa are still being described.
Unlike the large "corpse flies" or blow-flies of the family Calliphoridae and the large dung flies of the family Scathophagidae
, the small dung flies are members of the schizophoran subsection Acalyptratae
. Among their superfamily Sphaeroceroidea
, they seem to be particularly close relatives of the family Heleomyzidae
.
impact. Some species are known to be parthenogenetic.
The larvae are microbial grazers found in abundance wherever there is decomposing organic material. Most species appear to be associated with decaying plants or fungi. Some species, especially cave species
, are polysaprophagous. Many species are associated with various kinds of faeces; there are a few carrion
-feeding species. These, however, are extremely abundant and are important components of the carrion-insect community. Sphaerocerids that abound in economically important decomposer communities such as compost and manure, and some decay cycles such as the wrack
(seaweed) cycle are mediated by sphaerocerid-dominated insect communities.
As their microbe-associated habits suggest, sphaerocerids carry many pathogenic microorganisms. But their reclusive habits preclude a major role in disease transmission; some can present a public health
hazard on occasion. One species, Poecilosomella angulata, has been implicated in human intestinal myiasis
(Micks & McKibbon 1956). They have been implicated as the major means by which nematode
s are disseminated among mushroom houses. Otherwise they are generally harmless to humans, but some occasionally reach nuisance levels in food-processing plants and other buildings. Carrion-feeding species are useful post mortem interval
indicators in forensic entomology
.
Subfamily Tucminae Marshall, 1996
Subfamily Copromyzinae Stenhammar, 1855
Subfamily Sphaerocerinae Macquart, 1835
Subfamily Homalomitrinae Roháček & Marshall, 1998
Subfamily Limosininae Frey, 1921
Species lists
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 true flies in 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...
, 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
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...
as can be seen by their short antenna
Antenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
e, and more precisely they are members of the section Schizophora
Schizophora
Schizophora is a section of true flies containing 78 families, which are collectively referred to as muscoids, even though - technically - the term "muscoid" should be limited to flies in the superfamily Muscoidea; this is an example of informal, historical usage persisting in the vernacular...
. There are over 1,300 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...
and about 125 genera
Genera
Genera is a commercial operating system and development environment for Lisp machines developed by Symbolics. It is essentially a fork of an earlier operating system originating on the MIT AI Lab's Lisp machines which Symbolics had used in common with LMI and Texas Instruments...
accepted as valid today, but new taxa are still being described.
Unlike the large "corpse flies" or blow-flies of the family Calliphoridae and the large dung flies of the family Scathophagidae
Scathophagidae
The 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...
, the small dung flies are members of the schizophoran subsection Acalyptratae
Acalyptratae
Acalyptratae 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...
. Among their superfamily Sphaeroceroidea
Sphaeroceroidea
Sphaeroceroidea is a superfamily of flies. It includes the cosmopolitan families of Sphaeroceridae , Heleomyzidae, and Chyromyidae, as well as a few smaller groups....
, they seem to be particularly close relatives of the family Heleomyzidae
Heleomyzidae
Heleomyzidae 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...
.
Description and ecology
Dung flies are small, usually dull-colored flies. They occur all over the world except in regions with permanent ice-cover. Despite their ubiquity and abundance, little is known about their economic or ecologicalEcology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
impact. Some species are known to be parthenogenetic.
The larvae are microbial grazers found in abundance wherever there is decomposing organic material. Most species appear to be associated with decaying plants or fungi. Some species, especially cave species
Troglobite
Troglobites are small cave-dwelling animals that have adapted to their dark surroundings. Troglobite species include spiders, insects, fish and others. They live permanently underground and cannot survive outside the cave environment. Troglobite adaptations and characteristics include a heightened...
, are polysaprophagous. Many species are associated with various kinds of faeces; there are a few carrion
Carrion
Carrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
-feeding species. These, however, are extremely abundant and are important components of the carrion-insect community. Sphaerocerids that abound in economically important decomposer communities such as compost and manure, and some decay cycles such as the wrack
Wrack (science)
Wrack is the common name for several species of seaweed in the family Fucaceae. Pelvetia canaliculata Dcne. et Thur., Fucus spiralis L., Fucus vesiculosus L., Ascophyllum nodosum Le Jol. and Fucus serratus L. are the most common examples to be found in the British Isles...
(seaweed) cycle are mediated by sphaerocerid-dominated insect communities.
As their microbe-associated habits suggest, sphaerocerids carry many pathogenic microorganisms. But their reclusive habits preclude a major role in disease transmission; some can present a public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
hazard on occasion. One species, Poecilosomella angulata, has been implicated in human intestinal myiasis
Myiasis
Myiasis is a general term for infection by parasitic fly larvae feeding on the host's necrotic or living tissue. Colloquialisms for myiasis include flystrike, blowfly strike, and fly-blown. In Greek, "myia" means fly....
(Micks & McKibbon 1956). They have been implicated as the major means by which nematode
Nematode
The nematodes or roundworms are the most diverse phylum of pseudocoelomates, and one of the most diverse of all animals. Nematode species are very difficult to distinguish; over 28,000 have been described, of which over 16,000 are parasitic. It has been estimated that the total number of nematode...
s are disseminated among mushroom houses. Otherwise they are generally harmless to humans, but some occasionally reach nuisance levels in food-processing plants and other buildings. Carrion-feeding species are useful post mortem interval
Post mortem interval
Post-mortem interval is the time that has elapsed since a person has died. If the time in question is not known, a number of medical/scientific techniques are used to determine it. This also can refer to the stage of decompostion the person is in....
indicators in forensic entomology
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...
.
Selected genera
The genera are arranged alphabetically according to subfamily; these are arranged in the presumed phylogenetic sequence from the most ancestral to the most advanced:Subfamily Tucminae Marshall, 1996
- Tucma Mourgués-Schurter, 1987
Subfamily Copromyzinae Stenhammar, 1855
- Alloborborus Duda, 1923
- Borborillus Duda, 1923
- Copromyza Fallén, 1810
- Crumomyia Macquart, 1835
- Lotophila Lioy, 1864
- Norrbomia Papp, 1988
Subfamily Sphaerocerinae Macquart, 1835
- Ischiolepta Lioy, 1864
- Lotobia Lioy, 1864
- Sphaerocera Latreille, 1804
Subfamily Homalomitrinae Roháček & Marshall, 1998
- Homalomitra Borgmeier, 1931
- Sphaeromitra Roháček & Marshall, 1998
Further reading
Important works on Sphaeroceridae- Oswald DudaOswald DudaOswald Duda , full name Pavel Theodor Friedrich Oswald Duda was a German entomologist mainly interested in Diptera.Duda was born in Silesia 11 April 1869. He died in Habelschwerdt now Bystrzyca Kłodzka 21 November 1941.-Publications:...
,1938. 57. Sphaeroceridae (Cypselidae). In Lindner, E. (ed.): Die Fliegen der palaearktischen Region Vol.6, 182 pp., E. Schweizerbart.sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart. - Scientific papers by Theodor BeckerTheodor BeckerTheodor Becker was a German civil engineer and entomologist primarily known for his work with flies....
- Pitkin, B.R. (1988). Lesser dung flies. Diptera: Sphaeroceridae. Handbooks for the Identification of British insects 10(5e). London: Royal Entomological Society. ISBN 0-901546-67-4
- Richards, O.W. (1930). The British species of Sphaeroceridae (Borboridae:Diptera). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 18, 261-345.
External links
- Family description and images
- Page on Sphaeroceridae in houses
- Image Gallery from Dipter.info
- Picture of Leptocera limosa, a typical sphaerocerid
Species lists