BRACHYCERA, Muscomorpha Schizophora Acalyptratae, Nerioidea

Number of British species: 1

Size: S

Difficulty: 2

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

A minute to small (1.7-2.5 mm), dark to black coloured species. Arista pubescent; ocelli present; Ocellar bristles present; Postvertical bristles converging; 3 pairs of frontal bristles, curving backward; interfrontal bristles absent; vibrissae present. Wing unmarked, costa with both subcostal and humeral breaks or a subcostal break and a humeral weak spot; vein Sc incomplete; crossvein BM-Cu absent; cell cup closed. Tibiae without dorsal preapical bristle.

The biology of this small family is little known. The only European species, Pseudopomyza atrimana, occurs in woodland habitats, and adults have been recorded to gather over rotting logs, a habitat similar to that of an East Asian species whose larvae were found living under bark of various trees.

Chandler (1983)