Enicocephalomorpha
Guides
Enicocephalidae
unique-headed bugs, gnat bugs
Enicocephalidae, commonly known as unique-headed bugs or gnat bugs, is a family of approximately 300 species within the ancient and relictual infraorder Enicocephalomorpha. Members are small true bugs, typically around 4 mm in length, characterized by their elongated, constricted heads that give the family its common name. The family exhibits global distribution with greatest species richness in humid tropical and subtropical forests. Enicocephalidae are considered living fossils due to their evolutionarily conserved morphology. The family is classified into about 47 genera placed in five subfamilies, with notable polymorphism including winged males and wingless or short-winged females in many species.