Tethinidae
Tethina lusitanica
The Tethinidae are a family of two-winged flies (Diptera ) and are among the flies ( Brachycera ). They are found worldwide and is known up to now with about 160 species in 17 genera. In Europe, of which 35 species occur.
Features
The flies are small and only reach a body length of 1.5 to 3 millimeters and usually have a grayish to brown body coloration. Your threadlike antennae are tripartite. The last segment is rounded. Their mouthparts are formed normally. The Maxillarpalpen consist of only one member.
Way of life
Almost all types of Tethinidae live on the coasts, and in similar salty areas. Only a few species are found in meadows, forests and dry deserts. The adults are found primarily on rotting seaweed and dune vegetation and on the beach at low tide, in marshes and mangrove areas. Also on waters that are polluted by organic wastes such as offal or waste from poultry farms and are thus enriched with salts, one finds the animals. Some tropical species have specialized their way of life on guano. From the life of the larvae is very little known. Most species develop on rotting seaweed.