Picture-winged Flies

Ulidiidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Superfamily: Tephritoidea
Family: Ulidiidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ulidiidae: //juːˈlɪdi.aɪdiː//

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

Images

Picture-winged Fly - Tritoxa incurva, Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, Aden, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Curranops apicalis, with labels by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC0 license.

Picture-winged Fly (7429866640) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Tritoxa flexa (the Black onion fly), F, Side, MD 2013-06-18-15.39 - USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Diacrita costalis, dorsal view by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC0 license.

Delphinia picta 310507875 (cropped) by Jasper Shide. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

The Ulidiidae, or picture-winged flies, constitute a large and diverse family of flies with a cosmopolitan distribution. These flies are important contributors to ecosystems through their detritivorous larvae, although some species have a negative impact as agricultural pests.

Physical Characteristics

Members of the Ulidiidae family are characterized by their distinct wing patterns, often referred to as 'picture-winged' due to the presence of bands or spots on the wings. They share a unique elongated posteroapical projection of the anal cell in the wing, which is a distinguishing feature when compared to related families.

Identification Tips

Ulidiidae can be identified by their smoothly curving subcostal vein and characteristic wing patterns. Careful examination of the wing structure, particularly the anal cell, is crucial for accurate identification.

Habitat

Ulidiidae larvae are commonly found in decaying organic matter, with some species residing in roots.

Distribution

This family is cosmopolitan, with approximately 680 species in over 100 genera worldwide and around 130 species in about 40 genera present locally.

Diet

The majority of species in the Ulidiidae family are herbivorous or detritivorous, feeding primarily on decaying organic material.

Life Cycle

Details about the specific life cycle stages of Ulidiidae are not well documented, but they generally undergo complete metamorphosis, which includes egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.

Ecosystem Role

Ulidiidae play a significant role in their ecosystems, particularly in the decomposition process due to their detritivorous larvae, which contribute to nutrient cycling.

Economic Impact

Species such as Tetanops myopaeformis and Euxesta stigmatias are known agricultural pests, causing potential economic harm to crops.

Evolution

The family Ulidiidae is believed to have undergone significant diversification, with various species adapting to different ecological niches, particularly in relation to their feeding habits on detritus and plants.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

The Ulidiidae are often confused with members of the Tephritidae due to similarities in appearance, particularly the wing patterns, but they can be distinguished by specific wing venation characteristics.