Rhagionidae

Definition

A family of predatory or saprophagous flies (order Diptera, suborder Brachycera, infraorder Tabanomorpha), commonly called snipe flies. Adults are recognized by their elongate, often forward-projecting proboscis resembling a snipe's beak, slender bodies, and long legs; larvae are typically found in moist soil, leaf litter, or decaying wood. The family comprises four subfamilies (Arthrocerinae, Chrysopilinae, Rhagioninae, Spaniinae) and is distinguished from related families such as Tabanidae (horse flies) and Athericidae (watersnipe flies) by reduced wing venation and adult mouthpart structure.

Etymology

From the type genus Rhagio (Greek rhagion, a kind of grub or maggot) + Latin family suffix -idae.

Example

Rhagio scolopaceus, the downlooker snipe fly, is a common European species whose larvae prey on other invertebrates in woodland soil.

Synonyms

• Snipe flies

Related Terms

• Diptera
• Brachycera
• Tabanomorpha
• Tabanidae
• Athericidae
• Rhagio
• Proboscis
• holometabolous

Usage Notes

Sometimes confused with Athericidae (watersnipe flies), which share similar common names but differ in larval habitat (aquatic vs. terrestrial) and adult morphology. The family is not to be confused with the genus Rhagio alone; Rhagionidae encompasses multiple genera and subfamilies. Checklist and phylogenetic treatments vary in the inclusion of formerly separate families such as Bolbomyiidae and Vermileonidae.