Heleomyzid Recording Scheme

 Neoleria propinqua ♂♂ 

 

  • Taxonomic Group (English): Spiny-winged flies
  • Taxonomic Group (Scientific): Diptera: Heleomyzidae and Trixoscelididae
  • Scheme Organiser: Ian Andrews

This scheme was established in 2020 to promote the study and recording of the 61 UK species in these two families. Its predecessor as a study group was described in the spring 2019 DF Bulletin (no. 87).

  • Records for the scheme can be added to iRecord, or contact Ian direct to send spreadsheet records.
  • A draft key to heleomyzids, by Duncan Sivell and Alan Stubbs, is available on request from Ian Andrews
  • A Heleomyzid project on iNaturalist is bringing together photo records of some of the 151 European species and highlights variety within the family here. As of November 2024, there are over 6000 observations of Heleomyzids from across Europe.

IDENTIFICATION RESOURCES

Ian Andrews' Flickr collection of UK Heleomyzidae

Fauna Hungariae Heleomyzidae (Hungarian) Papp and Soós

Monographie der Helomyziden L. Czerny (1924)

Illustrated key to Neoleria

Withers key to Suillia (adapted with illustrations)

Revision of the genus Tephrochlaena, with a key to genera of Palaearctic Heteromyzinae (Diptera: Heleomyzidae) LO GIUDICE&WOŹNICA

The above pdf is important for reference if finding a fly which keys out to Tephrochlaena from an inland site. Tephrochlaena is strictly coastal, but there seems to be an inland Tephrochlamys-type with strong pre-sutural DCs which keys out to Tephrochlaena. Some examples can be seen here...

Possible Tephrochlamys sp. with pre-sutural DCs

Updated and illustrated key to Heteromyzine genera This includes the apparent Tephrochlamys with pre-sutural DCs, which is mentioned above.

Tephrochlamys flavipes / tarsalis

Heteromyza male faces