Family Mydidae - Mydas Flies

Mydaidae

Mydidae Latreille 1809

~80 spp. in 9 genera of 4 subfamilies in our area(1), ~500 spp. in 66 genera of 11 subfamilies worldwide(1)(2)

9-60 mm(3) (our spp. to ~30 mm); neotropical Gauromydas heros is world's largest dipteran(1)

Large flies (often wasp mimics) with prominent, clubbed antennae and distinctive wing venation:

Worldwide, primarily tropical/subtropical, most diverse in Subsaharan Africa (esp. in the south) but poorly represented in the Oriental Region, with some representation in temperate climes(1); in our area, most spp. have restricted distribution, mostly in sw. US(3). Mydas clavatus is widespread, largely eastern.

Primarily in arid environments, although quite a few species occur in forests(1), e.g., Mydas clavatus; larvae usually in decaying wood or soil

Summer

larvae of some spp. prey on beetle larvae(3)

Larva and pupa of Mydas clavatus

Batesian mimicry of large spider wasps (Pompilidae: Pepsis, Hemipepsis) by Mydas flies is discussed in(4).

Artigas, J. N, & N. Papavero (1990). "Studies on Mydidae (Diptera): V. Phylogenetic and biogeographic notes, key to the American genera and illustrations of spermathecae". Gayana Zool. 54(3-4): 87-116 (Full Text)

Hardy, D. E. (1944). New Asilidae and Mydaidae (Diptera) in the Snow Collection. Canad. Ent. 76: 226-230.

Hardy, D.E. (1950). The Nearctic Nomoneura and Nemomydas (Diptera:Mydaidae). Wasmann Journal of Biology 8: 9-37. (Full Text)

Wilcox, J., Papavero, N. (1971). "The American genera of Mydidae (Diptera) with the description of three new genera and two new species(5)". Arquivos Zoologica São Paulo. 21 (2): 41–119 (Full Text)

Wilcox, J., Papavero, N., & T. Pimentel (1989). "Studies of Mydidae (Diptera). IVb. Mydas and allies in the Americas (Mydinae, Mydini)(6)". Museu Paraense "Emilo Goeldi", Coleção Emilie Snethlage, Belém, Brazil. 139 pp.