Chyromyidae are small to very small cyclorrhaphous, acalypterate flies (
Diptera) currently classified within the Heleomyzoidea by most authors. The majority have a pale yellow integument and bright iridescent green, red or purple eyes. The family is represented in all continents except Antarctica. There are about 150 named
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
in this family worldwide. There has been no comprehensive
taxonomic study to elucidate the generic limits of species in the family. Currently, only four
genera are recognised, but ongoing studies of the African species indicate that there are more.
Biology
The biology of Chyromyidae is poorly known and no life history of any species has been elucidated. Adults are xerophilic and have been collected on
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
s. There appears to be some association with bird and mammalian nests,
[Smith, K.G.V. 1989. ''An introduction to the immature stages of British flies''. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Vol. 10, part 14. London: Royal Entomological Society of London, pp. 1–280.] though the nature of this association is not clear. Some species have been reared from
guano and
dung, from debris in tree hollows, and bird and mammalian nests.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5118604
Brachycera families