Asiloidea

asiloid flies

Family Guides

10

is a large superfamily of true flies (Diptera: ) with distribution. It comprises approximately 11 including the well-known Asilidae (robber/assassin flies), Bombyliidae (bee flies), Therevidae (stiletto flies), Mydidae (mydas flies), and Scenopinidae (window flies). is characterized by with no more than 4 flagellomeres, leg usually setiform or absent, and wing venation featuring an elongate cup with CuA2 ending freely or meeting A1 near the wing margin. Larval synapomorphies include arising dorsally from the abdominal segment and, in most families except Bombyliidae and Hilarimorphidae, a modified cranium forming a hinged metacephalic rod.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Asiloidea: //ˌæ.sɪˈlɔɪ.di.ə//

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Habitat

Greatest diversity occurs in arid, sandy . Many inhabit dry, sandy substrate types worldwide.

Distribution

; occurs worldwide. Some constituent such as Scenopinidae and Therevidae share this broad distribution, while others are more restricted (e.g., Evocoidae contains only a single known from Chile).

Ecological Role

of most visit flowers for feeding. Larvae are primarily predatory, living in substrate. Notable exceptions: Bombyliidae larvae are of other insects (primarily Hymenoptera, with spanning six insect orders plus spiders), while Asilidae adults are active of other insects. The ancestral larval condition is believed to be , retained in Bombyliidae but replaced by in other families.

Human Relevance

Members serve important ecological functions including : Bombyliidae larvae parasitize pest insects including bees, , and other groups; Asilidae are voracious of other insects. Some Bombyliidae have potential as biological control agents.

Similar Taxa

  • EmpidoideaClosely related superfamily within ; distinguished by different wing venation patterns and typically more slender body forms. Phylogenetic relationship remains under study.
  • CyclorrhaphaClosely related major lineage of ; distinguished by the formed from the last larval skin and typically different antennal structure.

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