Nymphomyiidae

The Nymphomyiidae are a family of tiny (2 mm.)slender, delicate flies (Diptera). Larvae are found among aquatic mosses in small, rapid streams in northern regions of the world. Many fossil species and a few extant species are known. Under an alternative classification, they are considered the only living representatives of a separate, archaic suborder called "Archidiptera".

Nymphomyiidae are neotenic retaining various larval features. They have strap like wings with a very reduced venation and the wing margins have long fringes like those of Thysanoptera. The wings are shed after mating.The antennae are very reduced. Species in the genus Nymphomyia have atrophied mouthparts. In the other genus (and subfamily) Oreadomyia adults have mouthparts.Oreadomyia are virtually apterous.

These flies were discovered in a fast-flowing stream in Japan by Masaaki Tokunaga Entomological Laboratory, Saikyo University, Kuyoto.

References

• Courtney, G.W. 1994. Biosystematics of the Nymphomyiidae (Insecta: Diptera): life history, morphology, and phylogenetic relationships. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 550: 1-41.

• Cutten, F.E.A. & Kevan, D.K.McE. 1970. The Nymphomyiidae (Diptera) with special reference to Palaeodipteron walkeri Ide and its larva in Quebec, and a description of a new genus and species from India. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 48: 1-24.

• Ide, F.P. 1965. A fly of the archaic family Nymphomyiidae (Diptera) from North America. Canadian Entomologist, 97: 496-507.

• Wagner, R., C. Hoffeins, & H.W. Hoffeins. 2000. A fossil nymphomyiid (Diptera) from the Baltic and Bitterfeld amber. Systematic Entomology 25, 115-120.

External links

• Courtney,G. W. Biosystematics of the Nymphomyiidae (Insecta: Diptera): Life. History, Morphology, and Phylogenetic Relationships pdf [1]

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