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Tipulomorpha

(Infraorder)

Overview

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Tipulomorpha is a of Nematocera, containing the crane flies, a very large group, and several allied families, three of which have historically been included within the Tipulidae.

One recent classification based largely on fossils splits this group into a series of extinct superfamilies (below), and includes members of other infraorders, but this has not gained wide acceptance.

Extinct Ranks

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Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Infraorder Tipulomorpha is a member of the Suborder Nematocera. Here is the complete "parentage" of Tipulomorpha:

The Infraorder Tipulomorpha is further organized into finer groupings including:

Families

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Cylindrotomidae

[more]

Limoniidae

Limoniidae is a family of closely related to the crane flies Tipulidae although they 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 tipulids usually hold them out at right angles. Members of the genus Chionea (snow flies) have no wings at all. Limoniids are also usually smaller than tipulids, although there are exceptions. Limoniidae is a very large family with nearly 11000 described species in 150 genera. These flies are found in damp places throughout the world and many species form dense swarms in suitable habitats. [more]

Pediciidae

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Tipulidae

in the family Tipulidae are commonly known as crane flies. Adults are very slender, long-legged flies that may vary in length from 2–60 mm (tropical species may exceed 100 mm). [more]

At least 4,807 species and subspecies belong to the Family Tipulidae.

More info about the Family Tipulidae may be found here.

Sources

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Last Revised: September 22, 2009
2009/09/22 10:13:15