Other Common Names
Sun Flies (a misnomer--see Explanation of Names), Heleomyzid Flies
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Helomyzidae, Heteromyzidae, Trixoscelidae
(1)Numbers
Nearctica.com lists 29 genera, approximately 146 species
Arnett
(3) lists 113 North American species
Worldwide, about 500 species in 65 genera (Australasian/Oceanian Diptera Catalog--
Heleomyzidae)
Identification
Small or medium-sized flies with prominent hairs. Family characters (see, for instance,
British Insects--Diptera for more characters):
antennae
aristate (bristle projecting upward), with three segments, the third segment short and rounded
orbital plates short, do not reach antennae--see illustration in Borror and White
(4)
most genera with prominent spines on leading edge (
costa) of wing
middle tibia with preapical dorsal bristle
Illustration of family characters:
Habitat
Usually found in shaded areas, typically near rotting matter--compost, dung, carrion etc., or fungi. Some species associated with caves
(5).
Season
Tend to be common in early spring and late fall--some species may appear in winter, even in northern areas
(5).
Life Cycle
Some larvae develop in fungus, others in decaying plant or animal matter. Some found in bird nests, mammal burrows
(3).
See Also
Dung flies -
Scathophagidae may look superficially similar
Marsh Flies -
SciomyzidaePrint References
Gordh, p. 432, entry for Heleomyzidae
(1)
Borror, entry for
heleo (2)
Arnett, p. 899-900, family 84 of the diptera
(3)
Borror and White, pp. 296-297
(4)
Marshall, pp. 420, 512--photos of several genera
(5)Internet References
British Insects: the Families of Diptera--
Heleomyzidae
Australasian/Oceanian Diptera Catalog--
94. Family Heleomyzidae
