Xylophagidae
| Xylophagidae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Coenomyia ferruginea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Suborder: | Brachycera |
| Infraorder: | Xylophagomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Xylophagoidea |
| Family: | Xylophagidae |
| Subfamilies | |
Coenomyiinae
Rachicerinae
Xylophaginae
The Brachyceran 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 larvae are often predatory, consuming other insect larvae living in rotting wood.
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.
Coenomyia ferruginea mating
Coenomyia ferruginea
Museum specimen of Coenomyia ferruginea
Rachicerus obscuripennis being eaten by a robber fly
Xylophagus ater oviposting
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Wikipedia