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Family AUSTRALIMYZIDAE Griffiths, 1972


Compiler and date details

October 2011 - Scott Ginn, Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia

Introduction

Australimyzidae are a small acalypterate family of flies, endemic to Australia and New Zealand. All currently described species are placed in the genus Australimyza. To date, nine species have been described, of which four species are recorded in Australia. Harrison (1953) first described Australimyza in the family Milichiidae. Subsequently, it was referred to family Carnidae (Colless & McAlpine 1970) until Griffiths (1972) placed Australimyza in its own family — Australimyzidae. Brake and Mathis (2007) published the first review of Australimyza (key to species). The phylogenetic position of Australimyzidae is discussed in Buck (2006).

Adults are typically found near beaches and have been collected on a variety of plant species including seaweed and tussock grass, as well as on dead stingray, near sea lion wallows and in Albatross nests. The larva of Australimyza macquariensis is described by Brake and Mathis (2007). Larvae are known to be saprophagous, and adults have been bred from Stilbocarpa polaris (Araliaceae), kelp and nettle.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
21-Mar-2016 11-Oct-2011 MODIFIED
01-Aug-2011 ADDED