Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly Cyrtidae
Numbers
520 species in 50 genera worldwide.
Nearctica lists 60 species in 7 genera.
Identification
"They are characterized by a humpbacked appearance and a small head, sometimes with a long proboscis for nectar. As such, acrocerids are commonly known as small-headed flies or hunchback-flies. Many are bee or wasp mimics. Their eyes are often
holoptic; their heads seem to be composed primarily of ommatidia." - Wikipedia
Habitat
most common in semi-arid tropical locations
Life Cycle
"All small-headed flies are parasitoids of spiders. They are most commonly collected when a spider from the field is brought into captivity. The adults do not seek out their hosts; instead the first instar larva is a planidium that seeks out spiders. When a spider contacts an acrocerid planidium, the larva grabs hold of the spider, crawls up the spider's legs to its body, and forces its way through the body wall, often lodging near the book lung, where it may remain for years before completing its development." - Wikipedia
