Polleniidae

Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889

cluster flies

Polleniidae is a of calyptrate in the , commonly known as "." The family was elevated from rank within to full family status in 2019 based on phylogenetic evidence. It comprises approximately 150 in eight , with Pollenia being the most diverse and widespread genus containing about 95 species. Members are primarily soil-dwelling and develop as of .

Pollenia rudis by (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex. Used under a CC-BY license.

Polleniidae by (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zachary Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Polleniidae by (c) Kalvin Chan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kalvin Chan. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polleniidae: //pɒˈlɛnɪ.i.aɪdiː//

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

Identification

Polleniidae lack unique morphological , making -level challenging. The family was historically classified within , and separation requires molecular or detailed morphological analysis. The Pollenia, which contains the majority of , is distinguished from other genera by specific character combinations detailed in taxonomic .

Images

Habitat

Soil-dwelling environments. Females have been observed on bark lying on the ground with folded, and extending the into mixtures of loose soil and debris for .

Distribution

Palaearctic, Oriental, Australasian, Afrotropical, and Nearctic () regions. Absent from the Neotropical Region. -level distribution: Pollenia occurs in Palaearctic, Oriental, Australasian, and introduced to Nearctic; Dexopollenia in southeastern Palaearctic and Oriental Region; Melanodexia is Nearctic ; Morinia in Afrotropical and Palaearctic; Xanthotryxus in southeastern Palaearctic and Oriental Region; Anthracomyza in Australia; Nesodexia in Palaearctic; Alvamaja in southeastern Europe (Romania, Serbia).

Host Associations

earthworms - Documented for several Pollenia ; most species lack data

Life Cycle

Develop as in . Limited information is available for most .

Behavior

Females of Melanodexia and Pollenia display frenetic on ground debris with folded. involves extending the into soil and debris. Some , particularly in the Pollenia, are known to aggregate in buildings during autumn and winter, earning the "."

Ecological Role

of soil-dwelling , particularly . Potential agents.

Human Relevance

Some Pollenia are perceived as pests when they aggregate in buildings during cooler months. Historical records document their presence as nuisance pests in North America since at least 1849.

Similar Taxa

CalliphoridaePolleniidae was historically classified as Polleniinae within ; separation requires phylogenetic analysis or detailed morphological examination

More Details

Taxonomic History

The was elevated from rank within to full family status by Cerretti et al. in 2019 based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence supporting its .

Generic Boundaries

Generic boundaries within Polleniidae are considered labile pending comprehensive phylogenetic analysis. Anthracomyza and Nesodexia are tentatively assigned to the .

Species Diversity

Approximately 150 in eight : Pollenia (~95 species), Dexopollenia (21 species), Morinia (13-14 species), Melanodexia (8 species), Xanthotryxus (7 species), and the Alvamaja, Anthracomyza, and Nesodexia.