Scenopinidae
Encyclopedia
Scenopinidae or window flies are a small (~400 described species) family of flies (Diptera
), distributed worldwide. In buildings they are often taken at windows, hence the common name window flies.
There are 2 species with cosmopolitan distributions, associated with the movement of trade goods (Scenopinus fenestralis
and S. glabrifrons). Very little is known of the larval biology; larvae have been found associated with stored-grain pests, in nests of birds and rodents, in beetle larvae burrows in trees and shrubs, and in association with therevid
larvae in soil. They may be predators of the larvae of other insects. Adults have sponging mouthparts and are found on open flowers.
There is a Website dedicated to the flies at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ppd/Entomology/EntBios/SWinterton/Scenopinidae/scenopin_open.html
Diptera
Diptera , or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. It is a large order, containing an estimated 240,000 species, although under half...
), distributed worldwide. In buildings they are often taken at windows, hence the common name window flies.
There are 2 species with cosmopolitan distributions, associated with the movement of trade goods (Scenopinus fenestralis
Scenopinus fenestralis
Scenopinus fenestralis, the window fly, is a member of the Scenopidae family of flies, found in Europe, including Central Europe and Southern England. It is somewhat inactive, small and black, and tends to be found resting on the windows of old buildings and outhouses...
and S. glabrifrons). Very little is known of the larval biology; larvae have been found associated with stored-grain pests, in nests of birds and rodents, in beetle larvae burrows in trees and shrubs, and in association with therevid
Therevidae
Therevidae are a family of Diptera Asiloidea commonly known as stiletto flies. The family contains about 1,600 described species worldwide, most diverse in arid and semi-arid regions with sandy soils...
larvae in soil. They may be predators of the larvae of other insects. Adults have sponging mouthparts and are found on open flowers.
Species lists
- 92 Palaearctic
- Nearctic
- Japan
- Australasian/Oceanian
- List of soldierflies and allies of Great Britain
Images
There is a Website dedicated to the flies at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ppd/Entomology/EntBios/SWinterton/Scenopinidae/scenopin_open.html