Ulidiidae

Definition

A large cosmopolitan family of true flies (order Diptera, superfamily Tephritoidea) commonly called picture-winged flies, characterized by patterned wings with bands or spots, a smoothly curving subcostal vein, and herbivorous or detritivorous feeding habits in most species. Distinguished from the similar Tephritidae by wing venation details including the absence of an elongated posteroapical projection of the anal cell found in some tephritids.

Etymology

From the type genus Ulidia + -idae (family suffix).

Example

The corn-silk fly Euxesta stigmatias (Ulidiidae) is a significant agricultural pest of maize in the Americas, while Tetanops myopaeformis damages sugar beet crops.

Synonyms

• Otitidae (obsolete)

Related Terms

• Diptera
• Tephritoidea
• Tephritidae
• Brachycera
• Picture-winged flies
• Muscomorpha

Usage Notes

Formerly treated as Otitidae, now universally Ulidiidae following modern phylogenetic studies. The common name 'picture-winged flies' is shared with other Tephritoidea families (notably Tephritidae, the 'true' fruit flies), so wing venation characters are required for definitive identification. The family contains approximately 150 genera and 700 described species with worldwide distribution.