Dryomyzidae

Dryomyzid Flies

DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > SCHIZOPHORA > Acalypratae > Sciomyzoidea > Dryomyzidae (3 species)

(subfamilies: Dryomyzinae, and previously Helcomyzinae as noted below)

This small family previously included five species in four genera; Dryomyza (2) and Neuroctena, and also Helcomyza and Heterocheila that were placed in the subfamily Helcomyzinae. Those two species have now been separated, with Helcomyza ustulata moved to its own family Helcomyzidae, and Heterocheila buccata to Heterocheilidae as featured on the following page.

To complicate matters further, subsequent taxonomic changes have resulted in the remaining species being reassigned to different genera; Dryomyza analis was previously Neuroctena anilis, and the former Dryomyza species, are now Dryope decrepita and Dryope faveola.

They are medium to relatively large, yellowish-orange to brownish coloured flies that superficially resemble some other species, including certain sciomyzids and heleomyzids. The adults are mainly found in moist, shaded places in woodland habitat, often on excrement, dung or putrefying matter, including carrion and decaying mushrooms.

Dryomyza anilis is by far the most frequently observed species; described as being of medium although variable size (7-14mm), but typically around 12mm body length, with a light-brown and orange colouration and large red eyes. It can be distinguished from the two Dryope species by the presence of distinct setulae along the full length of wing vein R1 dorsally, the projecting frons which forms a small hood over the basal antennal segments, the mostly bare aristae and the presence of a stigmatical as well as a propleural bristle above the front coxae. Distinct clouds are present over cross-veins r-m and dm-cu plus the tips of veins R2+3, R4+5 and M. The abdomen of the male is hairier than that of the female. Both sexes show substantial size variation with larger individuals being some of our biggest acalypterate flies.

In comparison, the two Dryope species are seldom seen and only rarely recorded, particularly Dryope decrepita, which is a more northern species. In the south, you're far more likely to encounter Dryope flaveola but, that said, there are very few confirmed sightings. It averages smaller than the common Dryomyza anilis at around 5-10mm, so quite variable. The same with the colour that can range from pale yellow-orange through various shades of brown to almost black. Visually, the main feature that distinguishes the two species is that Dryope flaveola essentially has clear wings, sometimes slightly tinged, but without clouded cross veins.