Asteiidae

Definition

A small, cosmopolitan family of acalyptrate flies (Diptera) comprising approximately 130 described species in 10 genera. These minute flies are characterized by reduced wing venation and are typically associated with decaying vegetation and fungal substrates. Members are rarely encountered in standard collecting efforts due to their small size and cryptic habits.

Etymology

Example

Asteiidae larvae develop in decaying plant matter and fungal fruiting bodies, making them occasional visitors to mushroom farms where they may be mistaken for more economically significant fly pests.

Related Terms

• Acalyptratae
• Diptera
• Brachycera
• mycophagous
• saprophagous
• calyptate

Usage Notes

The family is sometimes overlooked in regional faunal surveys due to its small size and the specialized collecting methods required for reliable detection. Asteiidae is placed within the parvorder Acalyptratae (or Acalyptrata), a large and diverse group of flies lacking the enlarged ptilinum and associated sutures found in calyptrate flies. The family shows no close affinity to the similarly named but unrelated Astiidae (a family of mollusks).