Helosciomyzidae

Definition

A small family of acalyptrate flies (Diptera: Schizophora) restricted almost entirely to the Southern Hemisphere, with species occurring primarily in Australia and New Zealand and a single genus (Sciogriphoneura) in South America. Larvae are typically found in moist, decaying plant matter and are believed to feed on microorganisms in such substrates.

Etymology

From Greek helo- (marsh, wet place) + skia (shadow) + myz- (suck), referring to the marshy habitat and presumed feeding habits of these flies.

Example

The genus Helosciomyza, found in New Zealand, includes species whose larvae inhabit wet rotting wood and leaf litter in forested stream margins.

Related Terms

• Diptera
• Acalyptratae
• Sciomyzidae
• myrmecophilous
• riparian habitat
• saprophagous

Usage Notes

Formerly treated as a subfamily of Sciomyzidae (marsh flies), Helosciomyzidae was elevated to family rank based on larval morphology and adult chaetotaxy. The family's Gondwanan distribution pattern makes it of biogeographic interest. Adults are small, slender flies with reduced head chaetotaxy compared to Sciomyzidae.