Pantophthalmidae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pantophthalmidae
Pantophthalmus bellardi.jpg
Pantophthalmus bellardi
Zoological Museum St. Petersburg.
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Superfamily: Stratiomyoidea
Family: Pantophthalmidae
Bigot, 1886
Genera

Pantophthalmidae (sometimes spelled as Panthophthalmidae) is a small family of very large, robust flies, sometimes referred to as timber flies. There are 21 known species in two genera in the family, all of Neotropical distribution. Superficially they resemble horse flies, but are only distantly related; they are most closely related to the soldier flies (Stratiomyidae). The larvae feed by boring into living wood, an unusual habit for Diptera, and can sometimes be pests. The adult stage is brief and does not feed at all, and most active at dusk.

References[]

  • Val, F. C. 1976. Systematics and Evolution of the Pantophthalmidae (Diptera, Brachycera). Arqu. Zool. São Paulo. 27:51-164.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""