Lesser House Flies and Allies
Lat. “Fanniidae“ family
of suborder
“Brachyceran Flies“ 1 family, 2 species
The Fanniidae family is distinguished from Muscidae by several identifying characteristics. These include the presence of a dorsal bristle on the hind tibia below the middle, a strongly curved axillary vein towards the wingtip, and specific features in males and females. In males, there is erect pubescence beneath the middle tibia, while in females, the frontalia lacks crossed bristles, the frontal orbits are broad and convex towards the median line of frons, and there are two pairs of upper orbital bristles, with the anterior pair turned outwards. External links provide additional information and images for reference.
The Fanniidae were once a subfamily of Muscidae from which they may be distinguished by:
A (strictly) dorsal bristle is on the hind tibia below the middle and in addition to the dorsal preapical.
The axillary vein is strongly curved towards the wingtip, so if extended, the axillary and anal veins would meet before reaching the wing tip.
In males, the middle tibia has an erect pubescence beneath; in females, the frontalia is without crossed bristles, the frontal orbits are broad, and convex towards median line of frons, and two pairs of strong upper orbital bristles are present, with the anterior pair turned outwards.
External links
Family description and image Archived 2007-05-04 at the Wayback Machine
Picture Archived 2007-10-10 at the Wayback Machine
The Types of Fanniidae and Muscidae (Diptera) in the Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
