Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
used to be treated as a subfamily of Bombyliidae
(1)Explanation of Names
Mythicomyiidae Melander 1902
Numbers
At least 175 spp. in 7 genera in our area (the vast majority in
Mythicomyia); ~350 spp. in 25 genera worldwide
(1)Identification
Similar to Bombyliidae but the adult thorax is with bristles not strongly developed, bristles on legs other than apical bristles lacking, cells br and bm usually equal in length or nearly so, vein R2+3 absent or short, ending in R1, and R4+5 unbranched, R5 absent.
Food
Larvae of
Mythicomyia are gregarious parasites of solitary bees;
Glabellula are possible predators (free-living or inhabiting ant nests); the exotic
Psiloderoides prey on grasshopper egg pods
(2)