The

Brachycera The Brachycera are a suborder of the order Diptera. It is a major suborder consisting of around 120 families. Their most distinguishing characteristic is reduced antenna segmentation. Description A summary of the main physical characteristics i ...

n infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered to be two small related families (Coenomyiidae and Rachiceridae). Other obsolete names for members of this family include Exeretonevridae and Heterostomidae. The family is known by the English name awl-flies. The

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

e are often predatory, consuming other insect larvae living in rotting wood.

Description

Flies in this family have elongated bodies and resemble ichneumon wasps in shape. The base of the abdomen is constricted. The antennae have three segments.Watson, L. and Dallwitz, M.J. 2003 onwards
Xylophagidae.
British Insects: The Families of Diptera. Version 1 January 2012.

Genera

These nine genera belong to the family Xylophagidae: *''

Anacanthaspis ''Anacanthaspis'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae The Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considere ...

'' Röder, 1889 *''

Arthropeas ''Arthropeas'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae. Species *'' Arthropeas americana'' Loew, 1861 *'' Arthropeas fenestralis'' Malloch, 1932 *'' Arthropeas magna'' Johnson Johnson is a surname of Anglo-Norman origin meaning "Son ...

'' Loew, 1850 *''

Coenomyia ''Coenomyia'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae. Species *'' Coenomyia basalis'' Matsumura, 1915 *'' Coenomyia bituberculata'' Enderlein, 1921 *''Coenomyia ferruginea'' (Scopoli Giovanni Antonio Scopoli (sometimes Latinized ...

'' Latreille, 1797 *'' Dialysis''

Walker Walker or The Walker may refer to: People *Walker (given name) *Walker (surname) *Walker (Brazilian footballer) (born 1982), Brazilian footballer Places In the United States *Walker, Arizona, in Yavapai County *Walker, Mono County, California * ...

Saunders Saunders is a surname of English and Scottish patronymic origin derived from Sander, a mediaeval form of Alexander.See also: Sander (name) People * Ab Saunders (1851–1883), American cowboy and gunman * Al Saunders (born 1947), American footb ...

, 1850 *''

Exeretonevra ''Exeretonevra'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae The Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered ...

'' Macquart, 1846 *''

Heterostomus ''Heterostomus'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae. Some authors have placed it in is own family: Heterostomidae. Woodley 2011 States that because its larvae are unknown, its family placement within Xylophagidae remains uncertain. ...

Bigot Discrimination is the act of making unjustified distinctions between people based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they belong or are perceived to belong. People may be discriminated on the basis of race, gender, age, rel ...

, 1857 *''

Odontosabula ''Odontosabula'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae The Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered ...

'' Matsumura, 1905 *''

Rachicerus ''Rachicerus'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae. Species *'' Rachicerus amorosus'' Nagatomi, 1982 *'' Rachicerus anachoreticus'' Nagatomi, 1982 *'' Rachicerus aterrimus'' Senior-White, 1924 *'' Rachicerus bellus'' Osten Sacken, 1 ...

, 1854 *''

Xylophagus ''Xylophagus'' is a genus of flies in the family Xylophagidae. Species *'' Xylophagus admirandus'' Krivosheina & Mamaev, 1972 *'' Xylophagus albopilosus'' Miyatake, 1965 *'' Xylophagus ater'' Meigen, 1804 *'' Xylophagus bungei'' (Pleske, 1925) ...

'' Meigen, 1803

References

Gallery

Stinkfliege Coenomyia ferruginea.jpg, ''Coenomyia ferruginea'' mating Coenomyia ferrugineaPCSL02513B1.jpg, ''Coenomyia ferruginea'' Coenomyia ferruginea G9DC7705.jpg, Museum specimen of ''Coenomyia ferruginea'' Rachicerus obscuripennis.jpg, '' Rachicerus obscuripennis'' being eaten by a robber fly Xylophagus ater, oviposition - 2013-06-24.webm, ''Xylophagus ater'' oviposting Brachycera families Articles containing video clips Taxa named by Carl Fredrik Fallén {{Xylophagomorpha-stub no:Xylophagomorpha