Family Anisopodidae - Wood Gnats

Classification · Other Common Names · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Internet References

Hi-altitude chocolate milk fly - Sylvicola

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))

Infraorder Bibionomorpha

Family Anisopodidae (Wood Gnats)

Other Common Names

window gnats (in part)

Explanation of Names

ANISOPOD[IDAE]: an (not) + iso (same) + pod (foot) -- having dissimilar feet

Numbers

9 species in 3 genera in North America (nearctica.com)

5 species in Canada (U. of Alberta)

Size

4-8 mm

Identification

mosquito-like but proboscis shorter than head; usually dark spots on wings

Wing venation:

Range

worldwide distribution

Habitat

larvae found in or near decaying wood or vegetation, fermenting sap, animal manure, tree trunks, mud, and sometimes sewage

adults found on foliage or around flowing sap in or near damp places; sometimes seen in swarms and may be attracted to light

Internet References

live adult image of Sylvicola punctatus (diptera.info)

live adult image of Sylvicola fenestralis (gardensafari.net)

pinned adult image of Sylvicola species (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)

taxonomy (Systema Naturae, taxonomy.nl)

distribution (Entomological Museum of Lund U., Sweden)

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 4 March, 2005 - 11:08am
Additional contributions by cotinis
Last updated 18 September, 2008 - 1:26pm

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