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The Nematoceran family Psychodidae, or moth flies are small flies (Diptera) with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a “furry” appearance. The adults have long antennae and the wings are leaf-shaped, either slender or broad, with the most elementary wing venation of any Diptera, having little more than a series of parallel veins without crossveins. Adult Psychodidae are mostly nocturnal and associated with damp habitats (non-phlebotomines). The larvae live in aquatic habitats (often with low oxygen), including bathroom sinks - they are common nuisance pests in bathrooms.
The subfamily Phlebotominae, often called sand flies (Ceratopogonidae are also sometimes called sand flies), includes many blood feeding species. This subfamily is sometimes treated as a separate family (Phlebotomidae), as is the genus Nemopalpus (Nemopalpidae). A key genus is Phlebotomus. Phlebotominae are a very important group medically, transmitting various tropical diseases, but most importantly leishmaniasis (Kala Azar).
References
- Quate, L.W. 1955. A revision of the Psychodidae (Diptera) in America north of Mexico. University of California Publications in Entomology.
- Quate, L.W. & B.V. Brown. 2004. Revision of Neotropical Setomimini (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae). Contributions in Science, 500: 1-117.
- Vaillant, F. 1971. Psychodidae - Psychodinae. In: E. Lindner, ed. Die Fliegen der Palaearktischen Region, 9d, Lieferung 287: 1-48.
- Young, D.G. & P.V. Perkins. 1984. Phlebotomine sand flies of North America (Diptera: Psychodidae). Mosquito News, 44: 263-304.
External link
"Psychodidae"