Overview

Tanyderidae are a species-poor family with no common name, and with some 35-40 extant species in 11 genera.

Of the three genera of Tanyderidae in Australia ( Nothoderus , Radinoderus and Eutanyderus ), the larva of only the latter is known, living in the outer layers of submerged, rotting logs in alpine streams. Knowledge of the biology of other taxa from the Northern Hemisphere suggests that other Australian larvae may be associated with sandy-bedded streams.

Description

The wing venation of Tanyderidae is complex, with all five branches of the radius reaching the margin, and a strong anal lobe that lacks a second anal vein.

Tanyderid larvae are elongate, worm-like, with the head capsule complete and the body terminating in six long filaments and paired posterior prolegs.

Distribution

Tanyderids are rare, but almost globally distributed. Adults may be found flying weakly by cool streams, especially where there is substantial immersed wood. Australia's generic diversity is quite high (three genera). Radinoderus is known from south-west Western Australia, Eutanyderus from alpine south-eastern Australia and Nothoderus is a Tasmanian endemic.