''Dasyhelea'' is a
genus of biting midges and the only genus of its
subfamily
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
, the Dasyheleinae.
Larvae of species in this genus are characterized by an anal segment with retractile posterior
prolegs. Larvae are
aquatic and adults do not feed on vertebrate blood, nor do they prey on other insects. They take
nectar
Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualists ...
only, an unusual feeding behavior within the
Ceratopogonidae.
References
* Elson-Harris, M.M. 1990. Keys to the immature stages of some Australian Ceratopogonidae. ''Journal of the Australian Entomological Society'' 29: 267-275.
* Mullen, G.R. and L.J. Hribar. 1988. Biology and feeding behavior of ceratopogonid larvae (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in North America. ''Bulletin of the Society for Vector Ecology'' 13: 60-81.
Ceratopogonidae
Chironomoidea genera
{{Chironomoidea-stub