Phoridae

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Phoridae (scuttle flies; order Diptera, suborder Cyclorrapha) Family of small or minute, grey-black or yellowish flies which run actively and have a curious, humped appearance. The antennae seem to comprise one large segment, but this conceals the other segments. The large segment bears a long apical or subdorsal arista. Wings are often vestigial or absent. If they are present, the anterior veins are very heavily developed. Larvae live in decaying or putrefying material. Several abnormal species exist, with the possibility of some hermaphrodite adults. More than 3000 species are known to exist.

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