Subfamily of flies From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Psychodinae are the nominate subfamily of moth flies (Psychodidae), also known as drain flies. Like most of their relatives, they are usually found in damp habitats; some occur in caves. The small larvae are aquatic or semi-terrestrial; the adults are winged and capable of flight. Psychodinae are found worldwide,[2] including some subantarctic islands.[3]
Adult Psychodinae are small flies that do not exceed 5–6mm in length. Their body, legs and wings are covered in many setae which (in males) are often pigmented, resulting in colour patterns. Their eyes are usually reniform and connected dorsomedially by an eye-bridge. The antennae each consist of a scape, pedicel and 12-14 flagellomeres, and each flagellomere has one or more ascoids of variable shape. The wings are ovate in shape with 9-10 longitudinal veins and almost no crossveins. Species of Psychodinae often look similar, only being distinguishable by the shape of the male genitalia.[4]
Larval Psychodinae are segmented with each segment subdivided and each subdivision dorsally sclerotised.[5] The tergal sclerites have true and accessorial setae which are useful for determining species.[6] Unlike in other subfamilies of Psychodidae, the abdomen ends in a tubular siphon tipped with spiracles.[5]
The larval biology of Psychodinae has mainly been studied for Palearctic and Nearctic taxa, with less known about Afrotropical taxa.[6] Most are detritivores in marginal freshwater habitats such as the edges of springs and streams, waterlogged soils and phytotelmata.[6] They also occur in leaf litter, compost, decaying wood, fungal fruiting bodies, dung, carrion, caves, drains and sewage pipes.[2][6][7] A few species may cause myiasis.[6]
Pupation occurs on the surface of the organic film inhabited by larvae.[2]
Humans may encounter adult Psychodinae in bathrooms and sewage installations. Adults are drawn to artificial light. They feed on polluted water and the nectar of flowers.[2]
Males locate females using species-specific pheromones, and also produce pheromones themselves for courtship. Psychodid antennae have sensilla that may be used for detecting these pheromones. Many Psychodinae also have specialised secondary sexual characteristics for release and detection of chemical cues. They also use visual and tactile displays.[6]
Duckhouse, D.A. (1990). "The Australasian genera of pericomoid Psychodidae (Diptera) and the status of related Enderlein genera in the Neotropics". Invertebrate Taxonomy. 3: 721–746.
Vaillant, F. (1982). "Quelques precisions au sujet de cinq genres de Psychodidae Psychodinae (Diptères)". Trav. Lab. Hydrobiol. Piscic. Univ. Grenoble. 71-73 (1979-1981): 211–217.
Satchell, G.H. (1955). "Two new subgenera of Psychodidae (Diptera) from Jamaica, with descriptions of five new species". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 8 (12): 85–93. doi:10.1080/00222935508651831.
Quate, L.W. (1996). "Preliminary taxonomy of Costa Rican Psychodidae (Diptera), exclusive of Phlebotominae". Revista de Biología Tropical. 44 (Supplement 1): 1–81. PMID9161543.
Duckhouse, D.A. (1968). "Psychodidae (Diptera, Nematocera) collected by Mr. Plaumann in southern Brazil". Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London B. 37: 29–40.
Quate, L.W. (1959). "Classification of the Psychodini (Psychodidae: Diptera)". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 52 (4): 444–451. doi:10.1093/aesa/52.4.444.
Tonnoir, A.L. (1922). "Synopsis des espèces europeennes du genre Psychoda (Diptères)". Bulletin et Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique. 62: 49–88.
Wagner, R.H. (2001). "Contribution to the knowledge of Spanish Psychodidae (Diptera) with description of two new species". Zoologica Baetica. 12: 83–90.
Vaillant, F. (1961). "Revision des Psychodidae Psychodinae de France". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 130: 131–154. doi:10.1080/21686351.1961.12279142.
Quate, L.W. (1955). "A revision of the Psychodidae (Diptera) in America north of Mexico". University of California Publications in Entomology. 10: 103–273.
Vaillant, F. (1973). "Some new Psychodidae Psychodinae from the United States (Diptera)". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 9 (2): 345–379. doi:10.1080/21686351.1973.12278141.
