Tethepomyiidae

Tethepomyiidae
Temporal range: Albian–Turonian
Tethepomyia zigrasi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Superfamily: Archisargoidea
Family: Tethepomyiidae
Grimaldi and Arillo 2008
Genera

Tethepomyiidae is an extinct family of small brachyceran flies known from the Cretaceous period of Laurasia. It is part of the extinct superfamily Archisargoidea. The family is characterised by "very large eyes, reduced mouthparts, a highly reduced antennal flagellum, and greatly reduced venation."[1] The ovipositor of Tethepomyia zigrasi has a hypodermic morphology likely used for injecting eggs into hosts.[2]

  1. ^ D. A. Grimaldi and A. Arillo. 2008. The Tethepomyiidae, a new family of enigmatic Cretaceous Diptera. Alavesia 2:259-265
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).