Banana-stalk-flies

Guides

• Neriidae

  cactus flies, banana stalk flies, banana flies

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

  DipteraNeriidaecactus-fliesbanana-stalk-fliessexual-dimorphismmale-combatsaprophagydevelopmental-plasticitytelegonytropical-distribution