The Apioceridae, or flower-loving flies, are a small (about 150 species) family of
flies, all in the single genus Apiocera. They occur mostly in dry, sandy habitats in the deserts of
North America,
South America, and
Australia. Other genera formerly placed in Apioceridae are now in
Mydidae.[1]
Apiocera species are found in sandy, arid and semiarid habitats. Despite the common name, most Apiocera species never visit flowers, but rather are found running on the ground near sparse vegetation, or feeding on
honeydew beneath
aphid-infested plants. They are often seen drinking from damp sand with their sponge-like
mouthparts. The
larvae of Apiocera maritima are found in sand near the high-water mark of coastal beaches.
^Walker, F. (1849). "List of the specimens of dipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part II". British Museum (Natural History), London: [iii]+231-484.
The Apioceridae, or flower-loving flies, are a small (about 150 species) family of
flies, all in the single genus Apiocera. They occur mostly in dry, sandy habitats in the deserts of
North America,
South America, and
Australia. Other genera formerly placed in Apioceridae are now in
Mydidae.[1]
Apiocera species are found in sandy, arid and semiarid habitats. Despite the common name, most Apiocera species never visit flowers, but rather are found running on the ground near sparse vegetation, or feeding on
honeydew beneath
aphid-infested plants. They are often seen drinking from damp sand with their sponge-like
mouthparts. The
larvae of Apiocera maritima are found in sand near the high-water mark of coastal beaches.
^Walker, F. (1849). "List of the specimens of dipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part II". British Museum (Natural History), London: [iii]+231-484.