Mythicomyiidae Melander, 1902

Jaroslav Bosák

Ecological Consulting, a. s., Na Střelnici 48, CZ-779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; jaroslav.bosak@ecological.cz

An ancient but not numerous family of small, dark species, varying in size from 0.5 to 5.0 mm. Body not pollinose, and sporadic pubescence less frequent. Third antennal segment longer than the first two segments combined, with a two-segmented style. Vein R4+5 characteristic and unbranched, and costal vein continuing around wing to end of anal vein. Hypandrium of male genitalia well developed, and epandrium always with a dorsal cleft. Females with hind margin of 9th tergum and cerci covered with hairs.

A total of 350 species is known worldwide (Zajcev 1991). In Europe the family is represented by 23 species in 6 genera (Greathead 2005), but only one species (Glabellula arctica) is known within the area of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Its occurrence is confirmed by records from Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia (Bosák & Barták 2000, Evenhuis & Bosák 1997, Greathead et al. 2005). Andersson (1974) published details on the biology of Glabellula arctica (larvae and adults), including descriptions of the last larval stage morphology, pupa, and male and female terminalia.

References

[1] Andersson H. 1974: Studies on the myrmecophilous fly, Glabellula arctica (Zett.) (Diptera, Bombyliidae). Entomologia scandinavica 5: 29-38.

[2] Bosák J. & Barták M. 2000: Mythicomyiidae. In Barták M. & Vaňhara J. (eds): Diptera in a Industrially Affected Region (North-Western Bohemia, Bílina and Duchcov Environs), I. Folia Facultatis Scientiarium Naturalium Universitatis Masarykianae Brunensis, Biologia 104: 147-149.

[3] Evenhuis N.L. & Bosák J. 1997: New records of Glabellula arctica (Zetterstedt, 1838) (Diptera, Mythicomyiidae) from Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. Časopis  Slezského Muzea Opava (A) 46: 95-96.

[4] Greathead D.J. 2005: Fauna Europaea: Mythicomyiidae. In Pape T. (ed.): Fauna Europaea: Diptera, Brachycera. Fauna Europaea version 1.1, http://www.faunaeur.org.

[5] Greathead D.J., Barták M. & Kubík Š. 2005: Mythicomyiidae. In  Barták  M. & Kubík Š. (eds): Diptera of Podyjí National Park. Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze, pp. 136-137.

[6] Zajcev V.F. 1991: On the phylogeny and systematics of the dipteran superfamily Bombyloidea (Diptera). Entomologicheskoe obozrenie 70: 716-736.