Overview
The groups Rhinotorini and Trixoscelidini, here recognised as tribes, are sometimes given separate family status.
These flies live mainly in cooler forests. Adults of
Borboroides
(wombat flies) are attracted to the dung of wombats and other marsupials. The larvae of at least some species live in the dung, but some adults are also found on mammal carcasses. Some species of
Pentachaeta
and
Diplogeomyza
are also attracted to mammal dung, and
D. hardyi
McAlpine has been reared from wombat dung. The larvae of
Tapeigaster
(toadstool flies) live in fructifications of fungi, whereas those of
Cairnsimyia
live in borer holes in trees and those of
Pseudoleria
often live in rat nests or pigeon roosts.
Description
The main diagnostic features include:
Postocellar bristles convergent (often absent in
Cairnsimyia
); usually two reclinate orbital bristles present (or anterior one may be absent or directed outwards or forwards); vibrissa usually present; katepisternal and usually presutural bristles present; tibiae often with pre-apical dorsal bristles; wing cell bm completely closed; cell cup nearly always completely closed; male postabdomen with sternites 6 and 7 usually laterally placed or reduced; female with cerci separately sclerotised.
Distribution
Heleomyzids live mainly in the temperate zone of both northern and southern hemispheres. Of the few tropical species, most live in mountain habitats. There are 82 Australian species. Apart from a few introduced genera (
Pseudoleria
,
Oecothea
and
Prosopantrum
), the Australian genera are all endemic and belong in south-temperate tribes.