| Keroplatidae Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Platyura marginata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Suborder: | Nematocera |
| Infraorder: | Bibionomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Sciaroidea |
| Family: | Keroplatidae Rondani, 1856 |
| Subfamilies | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Keroplatidae is a family of small flies known as fungus gnats. About 950 species are described, but the true number of species is undoubtedly much higher. The long-beaked fungus gnats, formerly placed in a separate family Lygistorrhinidae, have been placed into Keroplatidae as subfamily Lygistorrhininae.[1] They are generally forest dwellers found in the damp habitats favoured by their host fungi.[2] They can also often be found in caves. Larvae both feed on fungi and are predatory - they can spin webs by secreting acid fluids, which they use to kill smaller invertebrates and capture spores. Some of the predatory larvae cannibalize pupa of their own species.[3] The family notably include the genus Arachnocampa; the larvae of which are known as "glowworms" in Australia and New Zealand.
The fossil record of the family extends back into the Cretaceous, with the oldest named member, Lebanognoriste known from the Barremian aged Lebanese amber, other Cretaceous species are known from the Spanish, Burmese, Bezonnais, Taimyr and Canadian ambers.
References
- ↑ Greenwalt, D.; Kjærandsen, J. (2019). "Fungus Gnats Online". Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ↑ Evenhuis, N. L. (2006). "Catalog of the Keroplatidae of the World (Insecta: Diptera)" (PDF). Bishop Museum Bulletins in Entomology. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 13: 1–178. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ↑ Kits, Joel. "Family Keroplatidae - Predatory Fungus Gnats". BugGuide. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
External links
- Fungus Gnats Online
- Diptera.info Images