Tipulidae is a family of large crane flies in the order Diptera. There are more than 30 genera and 4,200 described species in Tipulidae, common and widespread throughout the world.
The Nematocera are a suborder of elongated flies with thin, segmented antennae and mostly aquatic larvae. This group is paraphyletic and contains all flies except for species from suborder Brachycera, which includes more commonly known species such as the housefly or the common fruit fly. The equivalent clade to Nematocera is the whole Diptera, with Brachycera as a subclade. Families in Nematocera include mosquitoes, crane flies, gnats, black flies, and multiple families commonly known as midges. The Nematocera typically have fairly long, fine, finely-jointed antennae. In many species, such as most mosquitoes, the female antennae are more or less threadlike, but the males have spectacularly plumose antennae.
Limoniidae is the largest of four crane fly families, with more than 10,700 species in more than 150 genera. Some studies have suggested it to be a paraphyletic group, with some limoniids being more closely related to Tipulidae and Cylindrotomidae than to other limoniids. Limoniid crane flies can usually be distinguished by the way the wings are held at rest. Limoniids usually hold/fold the wings along the back of the body, whereas other crane flies usually hold them out at right angles. Snow flies such as Chionea scita have no wings at all. Limoniids are also usually smaller than other crane flies, with some exceptions.
The Chioneinae are a subfamily of limoniid crane flies.
Ctenophora is a genus of true crane flies. The species are large, shiny black craneflies with large yellow, orange, or red markings to mimic wasps. Males have comb-like antennae. The larvae are saproxylic. The species are confined to old deciduous forests, orchards, and other habitats with continuity of the presence of dying and fallen trees. Ctenophora species are important bioindicators.
Dactylolabis is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae. It is placed in its own subfamily, Dactylolabinae. Dactylolabis contains the following species:
Dicranoptycha is a genus of crane fly in the family Limoniidae.
Discobola is a genus of crane fly in the family Limoniidae.
Elephantomyia is a genus of crane fly in the family Limoniidae.
Geranomyia, nectar feeding crane flies, are a genus of crane fly in the family Limoniidae. The majority of Geranomyia species have been recorded from the southern hemisphere, however there are currently 356 described species from around the world. The neotropical region of the world provides some of the greatest species diversity with many species still unknown and undescribed. Larvae of Geranomyia can be found in aquatic or semi aquatic habitats, often on hygropetric habitats in streams and rivers. Adults are often found in a bobbing movement when feeding on nectar from composite flowers, yet the purpose of nectar feeding remains unknown.
Limnophila is a genus of limoniid crane flies in the family Limoniidae. There are at least 280 described species in Limnophila.
Pilaria is a genus of crane flies in the family Limoniidae.
Tasiocera is a genus of crane fly in the family Limoniidae.
The Limnophilinae are a subfamily of limoniid crane flies. Some authors still use the name Hexatominae for this subfamily.
Nephrotoma is a genus of crane flies.
Tipulinae is a subfamily of crane flies. It contains the typical crane flies from the genus Tipula.
Eriopterini is a tribe of limoniid crane flies in the family Limoniidae. There are more than 20 genera and 3,800 described species in Eriopterini.
Limoniini is a tribe of limoniid crane flies in the family Limoniidae. There are about 7 genera and more than 1,400 described species in Limoniini.
