Neriidae

cactus flies, banana stalk flies, banana flies

Genus Guides

Glyphidops(cactus flies)
Odontoloxozus(cactus flies)

is a of true flies (Diptera) comprising approximately 100 in 19 . Formerly treated as a of Micropezidae, Neriidae are distinguished by their unreduced fore legs. are slender, long-legged flies with elongated bodies and , particularly in males. The family exhibits pronounced and is notable for spectacular male combat . Neriidae are primarily tropical in distribution, with limited representation in temperate regions of North America and Australia.

Neriidae by (c) i_c_riddell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by i_c_riddell. Used under a CC-BY license.

Odontoloxozus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Steve Wells. Used under a CC0 license.

Telostylus philippinensis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neriidae: /nɛˈɾi.aɪ.dii/

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

Identification

differ from the closely related Micropezidae (stilt-legged flies) by having fore legs that are not significantly reduced. Key diagnostic features include: antennal arising apically at the tip of the postpedicel (not dorsally as in Micropezidae); upper with medial division; fore legs long with prominent ; fore (and sometimes all femora) bearing spines in males; fore tibia of males with rows of spines or ; third and fourth wing converging at the tip; first vein not setulose; 1-5 frontal bristles; no ocellar bristles; and reduced postvertical bristles in some . Many species exhibit striped patterns that provide camouflage against tree bark.

Images

Distribution

Primarily tropical regions worldwide. Two North American occur, each with one . One species of Telostylinus occurs in temperate regions of eastern Australia. Species have been recorded from the Brazilian Amazon, southeastern Brazil (São Paulo state), northeastern Brazil (Pernambuco, Paraíba, Bahia), Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, and Peru. Some species show high synanthropy and occur inside homes.

Diet

Larvae are saprophagous, developing in rotting vegetable matter including decaying tree bark, rotting fruit, and fallen leaves. feed on decaying plant organic tissues, plant resins, and fruit secretions; more rarely on animal manure and organic matter. Adults are attracted to flowers and other sources of sugar.

Life Cycle

Larvae develop in rotting vegetable matter. Larval diet quality significantly affects growth trajectories, with nutrient-rich substrates producing larger . In Telostylinus angusticollis, males reared on nutrient-rich larval diets produce larger offspring than brothers reared on nutrient-poor diets, demonstrating paternal effects on offspring phenotype. Larvae in their final instar are capable of skipping: bending the body into a 'C', grasping the end with mouth-hooks, tightening body wall muscles, and releasing to recoil against the substrate, achieving distances over 20 cm.

Behavior

aggregate on rotting vegetable matter or damaged tree trunks. Males engage in spectacular combat for territory or access to females, elevating their bodies to an almost vertical posture and pounding rivals with the surfaces of their , striking with forelegs, or attempting head-locks. Some are used for behavioral and studies. Adults are attracted to cooking odors and may become common inside homes.

Ecological Role

Decomposers in rotting vegetation . Larvae contribute to nutrient cycling through saprophagy. Some associate with wood-boring beetles (Cerambycidae) in freshly felled trunks and branches.

Human Relevance

Some are associated with human crops including squash, cotton, banana, gourd, and papaya. High synanthropy in some species leads to attraction to cooking odors and presence inside homes. Used as model organisms in behavioral and research, including studies of developmental plasticity, paternal effects, and telegony (nonparental transgenerational effects).

Similar Taxa

MicropezidaeClosely related formerly including as a ; distinguished by significantly reduced fore legs and dorsally arising antennal
SciomyzidaeSuperficially similar elongated body form but lacks antennal and distinctive male combat ; larvae are or of mollusks rather than saprophages