Thaumaleidae
Encyclopedia
Thaumaleidae, the solitary midges or trickle midges, are a group of nematocera
n flies
related to the Ceratopogonidae
, Chironomidae
, and the Simuliidae. They are small, stocky, yellow to brown flies (3-4 mm). There are very few species known for this family
(about 120 species in five genera). Larva
e are found in films on rocks and the non- feeding adults are usually found on foliage along the same streams in which the larvae are found. A few solitary midges are found in the southern hemisphere
, but Thaumaleidae are generally an Holarctic
family.
Larvae resemble larval Lutzomyia (Psychodidae
), Forcipomyia (Ceratopogonidae
), and some Chironomidae
. However, unpaired prolegs, a ventrally directed truncate head, and prothoracic spiracles on a short respiratory tube differentiate them.
For further information see * Family keys and image
Thaumaleid larvae are usually hygropetric in vertical, thin water films alongside waterfalls and torrents. They prefer low temperatures and are most frequent in fully shaded localities. They feed by grazing on diatom
s. Little or no life history information is available.
, 1847, based on Orphnephila Haliday
, 1832, was used until Bezzi
(1913) synonymized Orphnephila with Thaumalea Ruthe
, 1831 and adopted Thaumaleidae, based on the senior synonym Thaumalea. This family name has been almost universally used since that time and it is to be maintained. Had Thaumaleidae not come into prevailing usage, Orphnephilidae would continue in use despite the fact that Orphnephila is a junior synonym. Thaumaleidae is cited with its own author and date, followed by the date of the replaced name in parentheses: Thaumaleidae Bezzi, 1913 (1847). It takes precedence over Orphnephilidae Rondani, 1847, and any subsequently published synonyms.
Nematocera
Nematocera , is a suborder of elongated flies with thin, segmented antennae and mostly aquatic larvae, consisting of the mosquitoes, crane flies, gnats, and midges....
n flies
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...
related to the Ceratopogonidae
Ceratopogonidae
Ceratopogonidae, or biting midges , are a family of small flies in the order Diptera...
, Chironomidae
Chironomidae
Chironomidae are a family of nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closely related to the Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Thaumaleidae...
, and the Simuliidae. They are small, stocky, yellow to brown flies (3-4 mm). There are very few species known for this family
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...
(about 120 species in five genera). 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 in films on rocks and the non- feeding adults are usually found on foliage along the same streams in which the larvae are found. A few solitary midges are found in the southern hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
, but Thaumaleidae are generally an Holarctic
Holarctic
The Holarctic ecozone refers to the habitats found throughout the northern continents of the world as a whole. This region is divided into the Palearctic, consisting of Northern Africa and all of Eurasia, with the exception of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, and the Nearctic,...
family.
Description
Adults are recognised by the few (seven) veins reaching the margin, the costa running around the entire margin, the absence of ocelli and particularly by the short antennae which are no longer than the head.Larvae resemble larval Lutzomyia (Psychodidae
Psychodidae
The nematoceran family Psychodidae are small true flies with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a "furry" moth-like appearance...
), Forcipomyia (Ceratopogonidae
Ceratopogonidae
Ceratopogonidae, or biting midges , are a family of small flies in the order Diptera...
), and some Chironomidae
Chironomidae
Chironomidae are a family of nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closely related to the Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Thaumaleidae...
. However, unpaired prolegs, a ventrally directed truncate head, and prothoracic spiracles on a short respiratory tube differentiate them.
For further information see * Family keys and image
Biology
Adult Thaumaleidae are encountered infrequently, usually close to the hygropetric aquatic larval habitat. The undersides of bridges over smaller running waters are common adult gathering sites.Thaumaleid larvae are usually hygropetric in vertical, thin water films alongside waterfalls and torrents. They prefer low temperatures and are most frequent in fully shaded localities. They feed by grazing on diatom
Diatom
Diatoms are a major group of algae, and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular, although they can exist as colonies in the shape of filaments or ribbons , fans , zigzags , or stellate colonies . Diatoms are producers within the food chain...
s. Little or no life history information is available.
Name
The dipteran family name Orphnephilidae RondaniCamillo Róndani
Camillo Róndani was an Italian entomologist noted for his studies of Diptera.-Early years:When Camillo Róndani was born in Parma the city was part of the French Empire Napoleon having crowned himself King of Italy...
, 1847, based on Orphnephila Haliday
Alexander Henry Haliday
Alexander Henry Haliday, also known as Enrico Alessandro Haliday and Alexis Heinrich Haliday sometimes Halliday , was an Irish entomologist. He is primarily known for his work on Hymenoptera, Diptera and Thysanoptera, but Haliday worked on all insect orders and on many aspects of entomology.Haliday...
, 1832, was used until Bezzi
Mario Bezzi
Mario Bezzi was an Italian professor of zoology at the University of Turin. He was also Director of the Turin Museum of Natural History...
(1913) synonymized Orphnephila with Thaumalea Ruthe
Johann Friedrich Ruthe
Johann Friedrich Ruthe Ruthé or von Ruthe was a German teacher and entomologist who specialised in Hymenoptera and Diptera.-Works:...
, 1831 and adopted Thaumaleidae, based on the senior synonym Thaumalea. This family name has been almost universally used since that time and it is to be maintained. Had Thaumaleidae not come into prevailing usage, Orphnephilidae would continue in use despite the fact that Orphnephila is a junior synonym. Thaumaleidae is cited with its own author and date, followed by the date of the replaced name in parentheses: Thaumaleidae Bezzi, 1913 (1847). It takes precedence over Orphnephilidae Rondani, 1847, and any subsequently published synonyms.