Diopsidae

views updated

Diopsidae(stalk-eyed flies; order Diptera, suborder Cyclorrapha) Small family of flies whose eyes are borne on stalks. The head is usually sparsely haired, with vibrissae absent. The anterior femora (see FEMUR) are stout, with ventral spines. The larvae are saprophagic or phytophagous. Adult males have lost tergites seven and eight, and the seventh sternite forms a complete ventral band. There are some 150 described species, found mainly in Africa and Asia, but also in New Guinea and N. America.

More From encyclopedia.com