Apiocera

Apioceridae

The Apioceridae are a family of two-winged flies (Diptera ) and are among the flies ( Brachycera ). Within this group they belong to the robber flies -like ( Asiloidea ). This is not native to Europe family is sometimes referred to as flower flies ( as a translation of flower- loving flies ), but this can lead to confusion with the family Anthomyiidae, also has little to do with the way of life of the animals.

Features

The flies reach a body size of 7-10 mm and have a lean physique. They resemble the robber flies. You have next to the oval faceted eyes three simple eyes ( ocelli ). Their antennae are four members.

Way of life

The larvae of Apioceridae are predators in the sand. The adults live mostly on open sandy soil in dry warm areas and take water and honeydew, but rarely visit flowers. The colloquial name is due primarily to the genus rhaphiomidas, which is now, however, no longer counted in the family.

System

According to recent findings Apiocera is the only genus of the family, which is represented by about 140 species mainly in the arid regions of Australia and North West America, with a few species in southern Africa and South America. From Europe and Asia, no species are known. In older works mostly the genera Megascelus, rhaphiomidas and Neorhaphiomidas be counted among the Apioceridae, but they are now placed in the closely related family Mydidae. The systematic position is still not finally resolved, usually Apioceridae and Mydidae be regarded as sister groups, but there may be a sister group relationship with the robber flies ( Asilidae ).