Scatopsidae (1)
Dungmücken Minute black scavenger flies, dung midges
The worldwide distributed family Scatopsidae (minute black scavenger flies or dung midges) belongs to the superfamily Scatopsoidea. It is divided into the subfamilies Aspistinae, Ectaetiinae, Psectrosciarinae and Scatopsinae.
The Scatopsidae are small to medium-sized, mostly dark midges from about 0.5 to 6 mm.
Little is known about the biology of Scatopsidae. Adult members of the family are found in different habitats and generally prefer cool and humid places. The imagines are often found on the flower heads, for example of Umbelliferae and Compositae. Many larvae of the minute black scavenger flies are saprophagous and develop mainly on wet, decomposing organic substances, such as dung, rotting wood, in mushrooms or in the soil litter.
The Scatopsidae are small to medium-sized, mostly dark midges from about 0.5 to 6 mm.
Little is known about the biology of Scatopsidae. Adult members of the family are found in different habitats and generally prefer cool and humid places. The imagines are often found on the flower heads, for example of Umbelliferae and Compositae. Many larvae of the minute black scavenger flies are saprophagous and develop mainly on wet, decomposing organic substances, such as dung, rotting wood, in mushrooms or in the soil litter.
