Keroplatidae

Keroplatidae Temporal range: Barremian–Present PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Platyura marginata
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Suborder:	Nematocera
Infraorder:	Bibionomorpha
Superfamily:	Sciaroidea
Family:	Keroplatidae Rondani, 1856
Subfamilies
Keroplatinae Lygistorrhininae Macrocerinae
Synonyms
Macroceridae

Keroplatidae is a family of small flies known as fungus gnats. About 950 species are described, but the true number of species is undoubtedly much higher. The long-beaked fungus gnats, formerly placed in a separate family Lygistorrhinidae, have been placed into Keroplatidae as subfamily Lygistorrhininae.^[1] They are generally forest dwellers found in the damp habitats favoured by their host fungi.^[2] They can also often be found in caves. Larvae both feed on fungi and are predatory - they can spin webs by secreting acid fluids, which they use to kill smaller invertebrates and capture spores. Some of the predatory larvae cannibalize pupa of their own species.^[3] The family notably include the genus Arachnocampa; the larvae of which are known as "glowworms" in Australia and New Zealand.

The fossil record of the family extends back into the Cretaceous, with the oldest named member, Lebanognoriste known from the Barremian aged Lebanese amber, other Cretaceous species are known from the Spanish, Burmese, Bezonnais, Taimyr and Canadian ambers.

References

External links

Wikispecies has information related to Keroplatidae.