Ephydroidea

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Superfamily: Ephydroidea

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ephydroidea: /ˌɛfɪˈdrɔɪdiə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Summary

Ephydroidea is a superfamily encompassing over 6,000 species of muscomorph flies, characterized by specific features in their antenna structure and diverse ecological roles.

Physical Characteristics

Adult Ephydroidea have a distinctive pedicel of the antenna with a dorsoventral seam or incision.

Habitat

Ephydroidea inhabit a variety of environments, including aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Diet

The diet varies among species; many Ephydridae larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic and act as browsers or filter-feeders, while Drosophilidae primarily feed on yeast and bacteria in rotting material.

Ecosystem Role

Ephydroidea play significant ecological roles as decomposers and in nutrient cycling, particularly in aquatic ecosystems where larvae contribute to the breakdown of organic matter.

Evolution

Ephydroidea were found to be the sister taxon to Calyptratae according to a 2021 phylogenetic analysis.

Similar Taxa

Calyptratae