Psychodomorpha

Definition

An infraorder of nematoceran Diptera comprising three families—Psychodidae (moth flies and sand flies), Blephariceridae (net-winged midges), and Tanyderidae (primitive crane flies)—plus the superfamily Scatopsoidea (families Canthyloscelidae, Scatopsidae, and Valeseguyidae). Members are typically small, delicate flies with reduced wing venation; many have aquatic or semi-aquatic larvae.

Etymology

From Greek psyche (breath, soul, butterfly/moth) + domos (house) + morphe (form), referring to the moth-like appearance of Psychodidae, the type family.

Example

The moth fly Clogmia albipunctata, a common bathroom pest, belongs to Psychodidae within Psychodomorpha, while the net-winged midge Blepharicera tibialis of fast-flowing streams represents Blephariceridae in the same infraorder.

Related Terms

• Nematocera
• Psychodidae
• Blephariceridae
• Tanyderidae
• Scatopsoidea
• Diptera
• infraorder
• Brachycera

Usage Notes

Psychodomorpha is one of several infraorders within the suborder Nematocera; it is distinguished from Culicomorpha (mosquitoes, midges, black flies) and Bibionomorpha (fungus gnats, march flies) by larval habitat preferences and adult morphology. Some phylogenetic analyses have questioned monophyly, so composition may shift with revised molecular studies.