Pediciidae
Pedicia rivosa
The Pediciidae are a family of insects of the order Diptera (Diptera ). They are closely related to the gnats and Stelzmücken and were considered to 1982 as a subfamily of these families. As such, they are still listed in numerous arrangements and directories. Some taxonomists, particularly in North America, they continue to consider as a family in Europe but the classification as a family is widely accepted today. The family includes 10 genera worldwide with about 500 species, of which 67 are in Europe.
Imagines
Like all mosquitoes, Stelzmücken and relatives are the Pediciidae relatively large, long-legged flies with elongated abdomen. They have essentially the characteristics of their relationship, such as a v -shaped seam on the mesonotum and the absence of ocelli. Among the other Stelzmückenartigen the Pediciidae are characterized by a combination of hairy eyes, appendages ( spurs ) to the tibia and special features in the Flügelgeäder. In contrast to the real crane flies ( Tipulidae ) of the head is not extended forward into a rostrum. Largest European style is Pedicia rivosa with a wing length of 25 mm. The Pediciidae live mostly in shaded, moist places, near the habitats (mostly water ), where their larvae have developed.
Larvae
The larvae of Pediciinae are elongated and cylindrical. The small, back open ( " hemicephale " ) head capsule can be retracted into the body and is then not visible. At the top sit a pair of short antennae and long, sickle-shaped mandibles, which sometimes carry in large teeth. Between the mandibles half circular stretched forward Hypostomalplatte is visible wearing a different number of long teeth. The in uniformly structured, usually whitish colored body carries on the side of the abdomen sometimes, cushion- spined Kriechwülste ( genus Ula ) or five pairs of ring shape spiny pseudopods ( pseudopodia ) ( genus Dicranota ). In the genus Pedicia he carries two wart-like, small protuberances. Similar to the Tipulidenlarven Pedicidenlarven wear on the rear end two striking and large spiracles, sitting on a sclerotized, dark colored Stigmenplatte. However, there are less and less overlap - or finger-shaped edge attachments than the mosquitoes larvae (these: six) available, usually only two. Since this can look like antennas, one can easily front and rear end of the animals confused ( especially if the head is withdrawn). In addition to the marginal flap retractable anal papillae are usually two pairs of shorter, yet.
Pediciidenlarven are quite versatile in their lifestyle. The larvae of the genus Ula feed on fungi in a partially decomposed dead wood in forests. Most other species live in or on the banks of water bodies. Many feed on mosquitoes as the larvae of fall foliage and other soft, partially decomposed plant remains. The larvae of the genera Pedicia and Dicranota are predators. They are found in rivers, often in streams of lowland streams to mountain streams. Pedicia larvae need clean and cold water, they are found mainly in sources.
Most species produce one generation per year ( monovoltin ), some may be two generations ( bivoltin ) form.
System
The family includes 10 genera:
- Dicranota
- Heterangaeus
- Malaisemyia
- Nasiternella
- Nipponomyia
- Ornithodes
- Pedicia
- Savchenkoiana
- Tricyphona
- Ula