The Chamaemyiidae are a small family of acalyptrate flies with less than 200 species described worldwide. The larvae of these small flies are active and predatory and are often used for biological control of aphids, scale insects, and similar pests. Chamaemyiid fossils are poorly represented in amber deposits, but a few examples are known from the Eocene epoch onwards.
Description For terms, see Morphology of Diptera The Chamaemyiidae are small flies 9 (1–5 mm), usually greyish in colour. The frons is wide, with at most two pairs of bristles (often bare). The face is gently concave or strongly receding. Oral vibrissae are absent and the postvertical bristles are convergent or absent. The proboscis is short and the antennae are short. The mesonotum is with or without bristles. Prothoracic bristles are absent and with one sternopleural bristle. The mesopleura are usually bare, rarely setulose. The front femora bear bristles. The tibiae are without preapical bristles. Wings with the subcosta are entire, sometimes touching the first vein before its end. The anal vein does not reach nearly to the wing margin, the anal and second basal cells are always complete, and the costa is not broken. The abdomen is short or slightly elongated.
Classification Subfamily Cremifaniinae Genus Cremifania Czerny, 1904 Subfamily Chamaemyiinae Tribe Chamaemyiini Genus Acrometopia Schiner, 1862 Genus Chamaeleucopis Gaimari, 2012 Genus Chamaemyia Meigen, 1803 Genus Hamecamyia Gaimari, 2001 Genus Melametopia Tanasijtshuk, 1992 Genus Melanochthiphila Frey, 1958 Genus Ortalidina Blanchard, 1852 Genus Parapamecia Cogan, 1978 Genus Parochthiphila Czerny, 1904 Genus Plunomia Curran, 1934 Genus Pseudoleucopis Malloch, 1925 Genus Pseudodinia Coquillett, 1902 Tribe Leucopini Genus Anchioleucopis Tanasijtshuk, 1997 Genus Echinoleucopis Gaimari & Tanasijtshuk, 2001 Genus Leucopis Meigen, 1830 Subgenus Leucopis Meigen, 1830 Subgenus Leucopomyia Malloch, 1921 Subgenus Neoleucopis Malloch, 1921 Subgenus Xenoleucopis Malloch, 1933 Genus Leucopomyia Malloch, 1921 Genus Lipoleucopis de Meijere, 1928 Genus Neoleucopis Malloch, 1921
References
Further reading Tanasiychuk, VN, 1986 Fauna USSR: Diptera. Vol. 14, part 7: Mukhi-serebryanki (Chamaeiidae) Nauka Leningrad. Text Russian 608 text figs, 70 b/w photos. 335pp.
External links
Diptera info Images Family Chamaemyiidae at EOL West Palaearctic List Nearctic list Japan list Dipterists' Forum Fossil Diptera Catalogue Family description