Family CLUSIIDAE

 

Clusiidae are comprised of more than 360 species found worldwide (Pape et al., 2011), with the highest percentage of living species being found in the Neotropical Region. Adults of living forms are found in sylvan habitats around decaying tree trunks and are known to feed on nectar, decaying vegetable matter, or sap. They may also be commonly collected at windows. Larvae have been recorded from rotting wood and bark beetle and termite galleries.

 


Xenanthomyza larssoni was originally described by Hennig (1967b) as an anthomyzid. Later, Hennig (1971: 46), mentioned that it might be a clusiid, which Rohaček (2013: 432) took to be an actual transfer by Hennig to that family). Teskey (1981) discussed the classification of Xenanthomyza Hennig, which he placed near Stenomicra Coquillett. McAlpine (1989: 1457) stated that this genus “almost certainly belongs to the Clusiidae” and (under the misspelling of the genus “Xanthomyza”) (1989: 1462) gave characters to explain this proposed placement. However, he refrained from formally transferring it pending further study. Xenanthomyza is treated in this catalog as questionably included in Clusiidae until further study can be conducted to ascertain its correct placement among the acalypterate Diptera. See also the Acartophthalmidae chapter for discussion of the questionable familial placement of Acartophthalmites Hennig.

 


Described forms of fossil clusiids are known only from Eocene Baltic amber. In addition to the species listed below, undetermined material of the family has been recorded from the Miocene amber of the Dominican Republic (Poinar, 1992).

 

 

Genus ELECTROCLUSIODES Hennig

 

ELECTROCLUSIODES Hennig, 1965: 136. Type species: Agromyza meunieri Hendel, 1923, by original designation.

 

meunieri Hendel, 1923: 145 (Agromyza; new replacement name for minuta Meunier). PA: Baltic Region (Eocene) [A].


      minuta Meunier, 1905a: 90 (Agromyza). PA: Baltic Region (Eocene) [A]. [Preoccupied by Meigen, 1838.]


radiospinosa Hennig, 1969a: 20. PA: Baltic Region (Eocene) [A].

 

 

Questionably Placed in CLUSIIDAE

 

Genus XENANTHOMYZA Hennig

 

XENANTHOMYZA Hennig, 1967b: 19. Type species: Xenanthomyza larssoni Hennig, 1967, by original designation.


XANTHOMYZA, incorrect subsequent spelling of Xenanthomyza (McAlpine, 1989: 1462).

larssoni Hennig, 1967b: 19. PA: Baltic Region (Eocene) [A].