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Mydidae
The Mydidae (sometimes misspelled as "Mydaidae"), or Mydas flies, are a cosmopolitan family of flies. It is a small family, with about 471 species described. They are generally large in size, including the largest known fly, '' Gauromydas heros'' ( syn. ''Mydas heros''). Many of the species, in addition to their large size, are mimics of stinging hymenopterans, especially wasps. Most mydids are found in arid and semiarid regions of the world, but they are also found in other habitats. Mydidae are most diverse in southern Africa, but many species have also been described from North America, Chile, and Australia. Biology Little is known about their biology, though Zikan reported the larvae of ''Gauromydas heros'' live in the subterranean detritus "pans" of '' Atta'' ants in southern Brazil, where they appear to be feeding on detritivorous Dynastinae ('' Coelosis'' spp.) larvae. In the U.S., '' Mydas brunneus, Mydas clavatus'', and '' Mydas tibialis'' larvae are predatory on de ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mydidae Wing Veins As Mydas
The Mydidae (sometimes misspelled as "Mydaidae"), or Mydas flies, are a cosmopolitan family of fly, flies. It is a small family, with about 471 species described. They are generally large in size, including the largest known fly, ''Gauromydas heros'' (Synonym (taxonomy), syn. ''Mydas heros''). Many of the species, in addition to their large size, are mimicry, mimics of stinging hymenopterans, especially wasps. Most mydids are found in arid and semiarid regions of the world, but they are also found in other habitats. Mydidae are most diverse in southern Africa, but many species have also been described from North America, Chile, and Australia. Biology Little is known about their biology, though Zikan reported the larvae of ''Gauromydas heros'' live in the subterranean detritus "pans" of ''Atta (genus), Atta'' ants in southern Brazil, where they appear to be feeding on detritivorous Dynastinae (''Coelosis'' spp.) larvae. In the U.S., ''Mydas brunneus, Mydas clavatus'', and ''Mydas ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
