Platypezidae

Definition

A family of small true flies (order Diptera) in the superfamily Platypezoidea, comprising more than 250 species worldwide. Members are primarily associated with woodland habitats and are commonly known as flat-footed flies, though this vernacular name also applies to the closely related Opetiidae, historically treated as a subfamily within Platypezidae. Adults often have distinctive flattened tarsi and reduced wing venation; larvae are typically mycophagous, developing in fungi.

Etymology

From Greek platys (broad, flat) + pous, podos (foot), referring to the characteristic flattened tarsi of adults.

Example

Platypezidae larvae feed on fungal mycelium in decaying wood, making the family useful as indicators of old-growth forest continuity; adults of Platypeza may be observed running rapidly across sunlit tree trunks in temperate woodlands.

Synonyms

• flat-footed flies (shared with Opetiidae)

Related Terms

• Platypezoidea
• Opetiidae
• Diptera
• mycophagy
• old-growth forest indicator
• Tarsus
• empidoid flies

Usage Notes

The common name 'flat-footed flies' is ambiguous and applies equally to Opetiidae, which was elevated from subfamily status based on molecular and morphological data; specialists now restrict Platypezidae to the core group excluding Opetiidae. The family is distinguished from other Platypezoidea by features of the head capsule and larval mouthpart structure.