Lauxaniid Fly
( Lauxaniidae )
2016-0514-01020119-DIP02354-Lauxaniidae[1040h51s,F,A,tree-bark]{ACotter}-G.jpg
PHOTO COMMENT
IDENTIFICATION
Identification:Lauxaniidae
(Macquart ,1835 )
Common Name:Lauxaniid Fly
Life Stage:(A) adult
PHYLOGENY
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Superorder:Holometabola
Order:Diptera
Suborder:Brachycera
Family:Lauxaniidae
Taxon Code:DIP02354
ITIS/TSN:145056
LOCATION DETAILS
Location Name
Cerrito Creek, Cerrito Creek, Albany
County:Alameda County
ECI Site#:CA01020119
RECOGNITION
Description
Small flies of woodlands, yellowish-brown or black. Wings often clear, but some groups, such as Homoneura, have patterned wings. Many have iridescent reddish/purplish or greenish eyes. Distinguished from other muscoids by the complete subcosta, no oral vibrissae and the postverticals converging. Lauxaniidae versus Drosophilidae: The easiest character to look for is the strong bristles on the frons (top of the head right above the eye). In most of our lauxaniids, there will be two strong bristles above each eye, both facing backwards. Drosophilids usually have one strong bristle facing backward, often a weaker one facing backward just in front of the strong one, but usually a fairly strong one facing forward as well. Many drosophilids have long rays on the arista of the antenna, while in most lauxaniids the arista is bare or has very short hairs.
Body Length
7 mm or less
Diversity
136 Species in 30 genera in North America, about 1,900 species in more than 180 genera worldwide.
Similar Taxa
Pomace Flies (Drosophilidae)
BIOLOGY
Food
Adults may visit flowers. Larvae reported to feed on decaying vegetation in moist areas.
Habitat
Woodlands, forests. Moist shady places. Larvae occur in decaying vegetation.
Diversity
136 Species in 30 genera in North America, about 1,900 species in more than 180 genera worldwide.
CREDITS
Photographer
Adrian Cotter
Insect Sciences Museum of California
References
Family Lauxaniidae. (http://bugguide.net/node/view/7021). Accessed March 12, 2016. .
ITIS.

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