Family OSMYLIDAE

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Family OSMYLIDAE

Compiler and date details

T.R. New La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia

Introduction

Osmylidae are diverse in Australia, and five subfamilies are represented. Two of these, the endemic Porisminae and Eidoporisminae, each contain only a single species (New 1983b). Spilosmylinae are diverse in New Guinea (New 1986a) and the two Australian species are tropical (New 1986b). The two larger subfamilies are both gondwanan. Kempyninae occur also in New Zealand and temperate South America, and Stenosmylinae are found in the latter area (Kimmins 1940; New 1983a, 1986b, 1986c, 1989). Osmylinae, widespread elsewhere in the world, appear to be absent, as is Protosmylinae.

The biology of most taxa is unknown, or inferred from fragmentary information. Porisminae and Stenosmylinae are found in eucalypt woodlands, and their larvae feed on small arthropods on and under bark. By contrast, the large Kempyninae are almost always associated with waterbodies, and adults are found occasionally in groups on rocks or under bridges near water. Their larvae have been found under stones and in leaf litter beside streams and lakes. In common with those of the European Osmylus Latreille, 1802, they may feed by probing soft mud for small prey such as dipteran larvae. Most Australian Osmylidae, at least in the south, are univoltine, with clearly defined flight periods (Smithers 1990).