Heterocheilidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Superfamily: Sciomyzoidea
Family: Heterocheilidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Heterocheilidae: //ˌhɛtərəʊˈkaɪlɪˌdiː//

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

Summary

Heterocheilidae is a small family containing the genus Heterocheila with two species primarily found in temperate coastal areas. They are known to feed on kelp and have distinct morphological characteristics that separate them from similar fly families.

Physical Characteristics

Medium to moderately large (body length 4.2-6.5 mm), fairly robust, brown flies. Distinguished by long parallel postverical bristles, three fronto-orbital bristles, and acrostichal bristles arranged in a single row with a larger prescutellar pair.

Identification Tips

Look for the unique morphology of the postverical bristles and arrangement of fronto-orbital bristles. The absence of anteroventral spines and the structure of the vein arrangements are key identification characteristics.

Habitat

Coastal wrack zones primarily on seashores of the Northern Hemisphere, typically found on stranded kelp.

Distribution

Palearctic region including North America and Eurasia; specific observations from the Pacific Northwest (Washington and Oregon) and coastal regions of Alaska.

Diet

Both adults and larvae feed primarily on stranded kelp in the wrack zone.

Ecosystem Role

They play a role in nutrient cycling by feeding on kelp, contributing to the decomposition process.

Collecting Methods

Netting from coastal wrack zones
Visual inspection of seaweed for larvae and adults

Preservation Methods

Ethanol preservation
Pinning of specimens for taxonomic studies

Evolution

The Heterocheilidae family was established by McAlpine in 1991 and is distinct from other families that Heterocheila was previously classified under.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Due to their common name 'half-bridge flies', they might be confused with closely related kelp flies, which are members of a different family.