Limoniinae Temporal range: | |
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Helius flavipes, Texas | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Diptera |
Family: | Limoniidae |
Subfamily: | Limoniinae Speiser 1909 |
Limoniinae is a subfamily of limoniid crane flies in the family Limoniidae. There are more than 30 genera and 3,700 described species in Limoniinae, found worldwide. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Like other Limoniid crane flies, most species in the Limoniinae subfamily rest with their wings folded along their body, instead of extended as with many large crane flies.
These 38 genera belong to the subfamily Limoniinae: [1]
Most larvae within the subfamily Limoniinae are saprophagous, developing in and feeding on decaying vegetation and associated microorganisms. However, certain lineages, including Limnophila and its relatives, are predatory or occasionally frugivorous. Larvae of Limoniinae occupy a range of ecological niches but are most commonly found in thin, flowing films of water enriched with algae. [5]