Platystomatidae

Definition

A family of true flies (Diptera) in the superfamily Tephritoidea, commonly known as signal flies. Members are distinguished by their flattened, often ornamented heads with prominent, widely spaced eyes, and many species display striking wing patterns used in visual communication. The family is primarily tropical and subtropical in distribution, with larvae developing in decaying plant matter, fungi, or as inquilines in social insect nests.

Etymology

From Greek platys (broad, flat) + stoma (mouth), referring to the family's characteristic flattened facial structure.

Example

Signal flies in the genus Rivellia are common visitors to decaying fruit and compost, where their larvae feed on fermenting material; males perform wing-waving displays to females using their patterned wings.

Synonyms

• signal flies

Related Terms

• Tephritoidea
• Diptera
• Tephritidae
• Ulidiidae
• inquiline
• tephritoid flies
• Brachycera

Usage Notes

Sometimes confused with Tephritidae (fruit flies) due to similar wing patterns and shared superfamily; Platystomatidae are distinguished by their flattened heads and broader ecological range. The common name 'signal flies' refers to visual signaling behavior, not to any acoustic communication.