Eyestalks
Guides
Diopsidae
Stalk-eyed Flies
Stalk-eyed flies are a family of true flies distinguished by their most conspicuous feature: eyes mounted at the ends of long lateral projections called eyestalks. This unique morphology is directly linked to their mating behavior, with males typically possessing longer eyestalks than females and using them in visual displays during courtship. The family occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, with some species extending into the Arabian Peninsula and other areas. Several species are known agricultural pests, particularly as stem-borers in rice and other Poaceae.
Platystomatidae
Signal Flies
Platystomatidae, commonly known as signal flies, is a family of acalyptrate Diptera in the superfamily Tephritoidea. The family comprises approximately 1200 species in 127 genera, with highest diversity in tropical regions, particularly the Australasian and Afrotropical realms. Adults are characterized by distinctive wing patterns and often metallic coloration. Many species exhibit elaborate sexual dimorphisms, including extreme head modifications in males used in agonistic interactions. The family is notable for convergent evolution of eyestalks with Diopsidae, though developed through different morphological pathways.