BRACHYCERA, Muscomorpha Schizophora Acalyptratae, Ephydroidea

Number of British species: 2

Size: S

Difficulty: 2

Small (2.5-4 mm) flies, body colour dark with head and legs partially yellow. Arista short pubescent to moderately plumose; ocelli present; Ocellar bristles present; Postvertical bristles converging; 2-3 pairs of frontal bristles, 1 pair curving forward, the other pair(s) backward; interfrontal bristles absent; vibrissae present. Wing partially tinged, in particular along the costa and with a central pale spot, or wing completely tinged brownish to greyish; costa with a subcostal break; vein Sc incomplete; crossvein BM-Cu present; cell cup closed. Tibiae with dorsal preapical bristle.

The larvae belonging to this family are unknown; they have been suggested to be saprophagous in rotten wood but this has not been confirmed. The adults are found on low vegetation in woodland areas; Campichoeta isfound in moist woodlands in particular.

Chandler (1986), Chandler (1987a)