Members of the Anthomyiidae, commonly called root-maggot flies, occur worldwide
and are comprised of approximately 1,100 described species in 50 or so genera.
Adults of living species are primarily found in moist or wooded habitats
with some species being synanthropic. Some are also found on flowers where
they feed on nectar and pollen. Others are predaceous on small flies. Larvae
are mostly saprophagous or phytophagous and live in stems, roots, and other
living or decaying plant matter. Other larvae are inquilines, commensals,
or parasitic on hymenopterous insects, reptiles, and burrowing mammals.
The fossil record of the family in the original 1994 version of this fossil
Diptera catalog included twelve described species in two genera, all of
Tertiary origin. Since then, Michelsen (1996) has reviewed the fossil Anthomyiidae,
described the first amber fossil, and concluded that the previously included
taxa belonged elsewhere. Those previously placed in Anthomyia Meigen
are now transferred to Unplaced Brachycera. The genus Mecistoneuron
Melander has been transferred to Platypezidae.
COENOSOPSITES Michelsen, 1996: 442. Type species: Coenosopsites
poinari Michelsen, 1996, by original designation.
poinari Michelsen, 1996: 442. PA: Domincan Republic (Eocene/Oligocene)
[A].