para- or polyphyletic group(1)(Krivosheina 2012); formerly treated as subfamily of Tipulidae
Explanation of Names
Limoniidae Rondani 1856
Numbers
the largest tipulomorph family, with ~900 spp. in ca. 70 genera (+70 subgg.) in our area and ~10,800 spp. in >300 genera worldwide(2)(3) [~190 genera worldwide per(1)]
Identification
terminal (fourth) segment of maxillary palpus short or subequal to third segment (elongate, longer than first three segments combined in Tipulidae)
antennae usually with 14 or 16 segments (13 in Tipulidae)
Interpretation of the wing venation can be difficult, especially on the subcostal and radial fields. See Alexander (1927, 1929-1930)(4)
Print References
Alexander C.P. (1927) The interpretation of the radial field of the wing in the nematocerous Diptera, with special reference to the Tipulidae. Proc. Linn. Soc. NSW 52: 42-72 (Full text)
Alexander C.P. (1929-1930) A comparison of the systems of nomenclature that have been applied to the radial field of the wing in the Diptera. Proc. 4th Int. Congr. Entomol. 2: 700-707. (Full text)
Alexander C.P. (1966) The Diptera or true flies of Connecticut. Part VI. First Fascicle. Conn. St. Geol. & Nat. Hist. Surv. Bull. 64: 1-509. (Full text)