Metopininae | |
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Apocephalus longistylus | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Diptera |
Superfamily: | Platypezoidea |
Family: | Phoridae |
Subfamily: | Metopininae |
The Metopininae are the largest subfamily of flies in the family Phoridae, largely due to the inclusion of the extremely species-rich genus Megaselia. [1] Members of this subfamily are widespread and common, with species such as Megaselia scalaris being particularly ubiquitous
Tribe: Beckerinini
Tribe: Metopinini Peterson 1987 [3]
Members of the subfamily Metopininae exhibit diverse ecological habits, particularly within the large genus Megaselia . Larvae of many species are saprophagous, developing in decaying organic material such as fruit, fungi, or compost, while others act as parasitoids. For example, Megaselia scalaris has been recorded as a parasitoid of Isognathus caricae caterpillars. [34] Certain Metopininae species are also regarded as agricultural pests. “Cob flies” (various Megaselia spp.) are known to infest sweet corn, where larvae feed on developing kernels. [35]