Family ANISOPODIDAE Knab, 1912

Anisopodidae

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Introduction

The Anisopodidae are a worldwide, species-poor family of some 100 species of small to moderate-sized, long-legged flies. The wing is frequently patterned with dark markings, there are three ocelli on the head and the antenna is well developed and non-plumose. Adult Anisopodidae can be found close to the larval habitat, but certain species enter houses where their activity at windows has given rise to a vernacular name of 'window gnats'; however, in nature they may be found especially associated with running sap on wounded trees.

The larvae of Anisopodidae are saprophagous, developing in a wide range of rotting vegetable matter, including slime-fluxes on trees and in dung. The larvae lack prolegs, have abdominal segments 2–6 divided into two unequal parts, and have a ventral perianal plate of darkened, thickened cells surrounding the anus.

The taxonomic history of the Anisopodidae is complicated, including lack of agreement concerning the composition of the family, especially the status and relationships of the Mycetobiinae (non-Australian) and even the correct name for the nominate genus.

General References

Chadwick, C.E. 1967. A habitat of Sylvicola neozelandica (Schin.) (Dipt., Anisopodidae). Zoological Records Insects 3: 33

Fuller, M.E. 1935. Notes on Australasian Anisopodidae (Diptera). Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 60: 291-302

Hardy, G.H. 1967. The Anisopodidae (Dipt.) of Katoomba. Journal of the Entomological Society of Australia (N.S.W.) 3(1966): 30-33

Pratt, G.K. & Pratt, H.D. 1980. Notes on Nearctic Sylvicola (Diptera: Anisopodidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 82: 86-98

Thompson, F.C. & Rogers, T. 1992. Sylvicola cinctus (Fabricius), the Hawaiian wood gnat, with notes on the family (Diptera: Anisopodidae). Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 31: 47-57

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