- Limoniidae
Taxobox
name = Limoniidae
image_caption = "Limonia nubeculosa"
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Arthropod a
subphylum =Hexapoda
classis =Insect a
subclassis =Pterygota
infraclassis =Neoptera
superordo =Endopterygota |
ordo = Diptera
subordo =Nematocera
infraordo =Tipulomorpha
superfamilia =Tipuloidea
familia = Limoniidae
diversity_link = list of limoniid genera
diversity = ca. 150 genera
subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
subdivision =Chioneinae Dactylolabidinae Limnophilinae Limoniinae Limoniidae is a family of flies closely related to the crane flies
Tipulidae although they can usually be distinguished by the way the wings are held at rest. Limoniids usually hold the wings along the back of the body whereas tipulids usually hold them out at right angles. Members of the genus "Chionea " (snow flies) have no wings at all. Limoniids are also usually smaller than tipulids, although there are exceptions. Limoniidae is a very large family with nearly 11000 described species in 150 genera. These flies are found in damp places throughout the world and many species form dense swarms in suitable habitats.Mostly,
larva e are aquatic or semi-aquatic, unlike tipulids which are mostly terrestrial. Various species have evolved to feed on different food sources so there are phytophagous, saprophagous, mycetophagous and predatory species.Limoniids are not particularly common in
amber deposits but a few finds suggest the family has been extant since theCretaceous period at the latest.Gallery
ee also
List of limoniid genera References
* [http://delta-intkey.com/britin/dip/www/limoniid.htm Family description]
* [http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/ccw/index.php Catalogue of the crane flies of the world]
* [http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/fossilcat/fosslimoniidae.html Fossil Diptera catalog]
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