Family DRYOMYZIDAE



Dryomyzidae is a small family of flies (about a dozen species in four genera; two genera known only as fossils) primarily restricted to the Holarctic Region, although Southern Hemisphere representatives are known. Very little is known of the habits of the adults or immatures of these flies. Adults of living forms are found in moist, shady habits among low-growing vegetation, fungi, and excrement. Larvae have been reared from decaying organic matter including carrion, dung, and fungi.

The fossil record of this family is poor. Only four fossil species in three genera (all from the Tertiary of the Northern Hemisphere) are known. Ross & Jarzembowski (1993: 402) recorded the family from the Paleocene, probably based on unpublished material.


Genus DRYOMYZA Fallén

*DRYOMYZA Fallén, 1820e: 15. Type species: Dryomyza anilis Fallén, 1820, by subsequent designation of Zetterstedt (1846: 2082).
pelidua Statz, 1940: 146. PA: Germany (Oligocene) [C].
shanwangensis Zhang, 1989a: 364. PA: China (Miocene) [C].


Genus PALAEOTIMIA Meunier

PALAEOTIMIA Meunier, 1908h: 266. Type species: Palaeotimia lhoesti Meunier, 1908, by monotypy.
lhoesti Meunier, 1908h: 266. PA: Baltic Region (Eocene/Oligocene) [A].


Genus PRODRYOMYZA Hennig

PRODRYOMYZA Hennig, 1965: 73. Type species: Prodryomyza electrica Hennig, 1965, by monotypy.
electrica Hennig, 1965: 73. PA: Baltic Region (Eocene/Oligocene) [A].


This page last revised 17 February 1997 by nle