Tipuloidea
Guides
Atarba
Atarba is a genus of crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) established by Osten Sacken in 1869. The genus contains three recognized subgenera: Atarba, Atarbodes, and Ischnothrix. Species within this genus are slender, delicate flies characteristic of the Limoniidae family. The genus has been documented in North America, with records from the northeastern United States including Vermont.
Cylindrotomidae
long-bodied craneflies
Cylindrotomidae, commonly known as long-bodied craneflies, are a small family of crane flies (Diptera: Tipuloidea) comprising approximately 65–71 extant species in 9 genera and more than 16–20 extinct species. The family represents a classic 'ghost lineage' with no fossil record during the Mesozoic despite diversification of their sister family Tipulidae in the Cretaceous. Crown group diversification began in the Paleogene, with the oldest fossils dating to approximately 56 million years ago. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Cylindrotominae, which are primarily Holarctic in distribution, and Stibadocerinae, which exhibit a Gondwanan distribution with genera restricted to Australia, Chile, and East Asia.
Ellipteroides
Ellipteroides is a genus of crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae: Chioneinae) comprising 122 extant species distributed across all biogeographical regions except Australasia. The genus includes five subgenera (Ellipteroides, Progonomyia, Protogonomyia, Ptilostenodes, Ramagonomyia, Sivagonomyia) plus three newly proposed subgenera (Afroellipteroides, Iberiopteroides, Photogonomyia) and a new fossil subgenus Jantares from Eocene Baltic amber. Species are small blackish insects with characteristic yellow thoracic bands and abdominal stripes. The fossil record includes two Eocene species: E. kishenehn from Middle Eocene Montana and E. hansi from Priabonian Baltic amber (38-34 million years ago).
Pediciidae
Hairy-eyed Crane Flies
Pediciidae, commonly known as hairy-eyed crane flies, is a family of about 500 species worldwide. They are medium-sized to large flies (5–35 mm) closely related to true crane flies (Tipulidae). The family is distinguished by pubescent compound eyes with short erect hairs between the facets, a trait absent in related families. They occupy diverse habitats but are particularly associated with clean, cold aquatic environments. The family was established as a separate lineage from Tipulidae based on morphological and molecular evidence, representing one of two primary lineages within the superfamily Tipuloidea.
Phyllolabis
Phyllolabis is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae, subfamily Limnophilinae. The genus was established by Osten Sacken in 1877 and contains approximately 50 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Larval and pupal stages were first described in 2017 for P. mongolica, revealing morphological similarities to Austrolimnophila, Epiphragma, and Dactylolabis. Based on immature stage characters, Phyllolabis has been reclassified as a basal lineage within Limnophilinae s.l.