BRACHYCERA, Muscomorpha Schizophora Acalyptratae, Nerioidea

Number of British species: 9

Size: S-L

Difficulty: 2

Study group: Covered by the Stilt and Stalk fly study group

Strikingly slender flies of small to large size (3-16 mm) with narrow wings and long legs. Head small, rounded to elongate; antenna small with arista bare or pubescent; ocelli present Ocellar bristles absent; Postvertical bristles diverging or absent; 0-3 pairs of frontal bristles, if present, curving forward or backward; interfrontal bristles absent; vibrissae absent. Wing clear to fumosely patterned; Costa continuous; vein Sc complete, its ending in the costa may be close to that of vein R₁; crossvein BM-Cu present or absent (in the Micropezinae); cell cup closed. Tibiae without dorsal preapical bristle.

With respect to their biology, the European Micropezidae can be divided in three groups. Species of Micropeza have phytophagous larvae feeding in the root nodules of leguminous plants and are associated with open habitats; species of Rainieria develop in the rotting wood of deciduous trees and are restricted to old forests; the majority of the other species have saprophagous larvae living in decayed vegetation, old manure or fungi and their adults usually prefer humid forests along river and creeks. Adult Micropezidae prey on small insects and other invertebrates and can be found on flowers, leaves, rotting fruit, excrement, etc.

Andersson (1989), Chandler (1975), Collin (1945), Rohácek & Barták (1990)