Apiocera
| Apiocera | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Suborder: | Brachycera |
| Infraorder: | Asilomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Asiloidea |
| Family: | Apioceridae |
| Genus: | Apiocera Westwood, 1835 |
| Subgenera | |
The Apioceridae, or flower-loving flies, are a small (approximately 150 species) family of flies, all in the single genus Apiocera. They occur mostly in dry sandy habitats in the deserts of North America, South America, and Australia. Other genera formerly placed in Apioceridae are now in Mydidae.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Diversity and biogeography
The approximately 150 species of Apiocera are divided into four subgenera, each restricted to a different continent. Apiocera is found in Australia, Ripidosyrma in southern Africa, Pyrocera in North America, and Anypenus in South America.[1]
[edit] Biology
Apiocera species are found in sandy, arid and semiarid habitats. Hovering over bare patches of ground they can emit a loud hum. Despite the common name, most Apiocera never visit flowers, but rather are found running on the ground near sparse vegetation, or feeding on honeydew beneath aphid-infested plants. They are often seen drinking from damp sand with their sponge-like mouthparts. The larvae of Apiocera maritima are found in sand near the high water mark of coastal beaches.
[edit] External links
- Apioceridae from Brisbane (Archived 2009-10-25)
- www.mydidae.tdvia.de Website von Torsten Dikow (in English)
- Torsten Dikow: New insight on the phylogenetic relationships within Mydidae and its relationship to Apioceridae
- Robert A. Cannings: A review of the distribution and natural history of Apiocera barri and Nemomydas pantherinus
[edit] References
- ^ a b David K. Yeates & Michael E. Irwin (1996). "Apioceridae (Insecta: Diptera): cladistic reappraisal and biogeography". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 116 (3): 247–301. doi:10.1006/zjls.1996.0020.
