Fanniidae
Fanniidae
Classification
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Fanniidae: //fəˈnɪɪˌdeɪ//
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Images
Summary
Fanniidae is a family of true flies that includes medium-sized to small species. They are primarily scavengers and are often indicators used in forensic science. With over 110 species present in North America and around 360 species worldwide, Fanniidae contributes significantly to the decomposition process and serves as a biological indicator of environmental conditions.
Physical Characteristics
Adults are medium-sized to small, usually with mainly dark body and leg colors. Males exhibit congregating behavior in dancing swarms beneath trees, while females tend to be more retiring. Larvae have flattened bodies with striking lateral protuberances.
Identification Tips
Fanniidae can be distinguished from Muscidae by the presence of a dorsal bristle on the hind tibia below the middle and in addition to the dorsal preapical bristle. The axillary vein is strongly curved toward the wingtip, meeting the anal vein before reaching the wing tip. Males have erect pubescence on the middle tibia; females have broad, convex frontal orbits with two pairs of strong upper orbital bristles, the anterior pair turned outwards.
Habitat
Primarily Holarctic and temperate Neotropical regions, with larvae found in various kinds of decaying organic matter.
Distribution
Mostly Holarctic and temperate Neotropical; approximately 11 species in the Afrotropical region, 29 in the Oriental region, and 14 in the Australasian region.
Diet
Larvae are scavengers feeding on decaying organic matter.
Life Cycle
Larvae develop in decaying organic material, adults are found congregating in swarms.
Reproduction
Details on reproduction were not provided in the material.
Ecosystem Role
Fanniidae are indicators useful in forensic entomology, helping to establish the time of death in investigations.
Economic Impact
The lesser housefly, Fannia canicularis, is a worldwide synanthropic species, potentially impacting human habitation.
Evolution
Once treated as a subfamily of Muscidae, Fanniidae is now recognized as a distinct monophyletic group that is sister to the rest of the muscoids plus Oestroidea.
Similar Taxa
Tags
- Diptera
- Fanniidae
- Entomology
- Forensic Entomology
- Scavengers