Heleomyzidae
Classification
BRACHYCERA, Muscomorpha Schizophora Acalyptratae, Sphaeroceroidea
Number of British species: 62
Size: S-M
Difficulty: 2
Characters
Robust, minute to large (1.2-12 mm), pallid yellow to dark grey or brown, in some cases reddish flies. Arista bare or plumose; ocelli present Ocellar bristles present; Postvertical bristles converging; 1 or 2 pairs) of frontal bristles, curving outward or backward; interfrontal bristles absent, interfrontal setulae present or absent; vibrissae present. Wing clear, tinged or with a pattern, especially along the crossveins; Costa with a subcostal break vein Sc complete; crossvein BM-Cu present cell cup closed. Tibiae usually with dorsal preapical bristle which may be small or lacking in the Borboropsinae and in Oldenbergiella.
Biology
The larval habitats of the various subfamilies can be summarised as follows: In the Heleomyzinae and Heteromyzinae the larvae mainly feed on rotting organic matter and can be found in carrion, excrement, mushrooms, bracket fungi, animal burrows, nests of birds, etc. The larvae of the Suilliinae have chiefly been found in mushrooms and bracket fungi. The adults are often found near the larval habitats, e.g. in woodland areas, but also in caves and in or near nests of birds and mammal burrows.
