Platystomatidae

Taxobox
name = Platystomatidae

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image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Hexapoda
classis = Insecta
subclassis = Pterygota
infraclassis = Neoptera
superordo = Endopterygota|
ordo = Diptera
subordo = Brachycera
infraordo = Muscomorpha
zoosectio = Schizophora
zoosubsectio = Acalyptratae
superfamilia = Tephritoidea
familia = Platystomatidae

Platystomatidae is a family of flies (Diptera) . Platystomatidae are worldwide in distribution and one of the larger families of acalyptrate Diptera with around 1,000 species in 50 genera.

Biology

Adults are found on tree trunks and foliage and are attracted to flowers, decaying fruit, excrement, sweat, and decomposing snails. Larvae are found on both fresh and decaying vegetation, carrion, human corpses, and root nodules. Most larvae are either phytophagous or saprophagous. Some are predatory on other insects and others have been found in human lesions.

Family Description

See [http://delta-intkey.com/britin/dip/www/platysto.htm]

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Other

Adults are sometimes amongst the most morphologically bizarre forms of all the Diptera. [http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Diptera/dips/platys.gif]