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Members of the Anthomyiidae, commonly called root-maggot flies, occur worldwide and are comprised of approximately 1,941 described species in 53 genera (Pape et al., 2011). 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 previously 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].

Genus PROTOANTHOMYIA Michelsen

PROTOANTHOMYIA Michelsen, 2000: 12. Type species: Protoanthomyia minuta Michelsen, 2000, by original designation.
minuta Michelsen, 2000: 12. PA: Baltic Region (Eocene) [A].