Endemic Fly Families in the Afrotropical Realm

1. Glossinidae (Tsetse flies)

• Diet: Blood-feeding, primarily on mammals.
• Breeding: Viviparous; females give birth to fully developed larvae, which pupate in soil.
• Size: 6–14 mm.

1. Marginidae

• Diet: Likely detritivorous or associated with decaying organic matter.
• Breeding: Limited data; likely oviparous with larvae developing in moist habitats.
• Size: Small to medium-sized.

1. Mormotomyiidae (Mormotomyia hirsuta, the “terrible hairy fly”)

• Diet: Thought to be associated with bat guano or decaying organic matter.
• Breeding: Found in rock crevices; larvae likely develop in guano-rich environments.
• Size: 1–3 mm.

1. Natalimyzidae

• Diet: Unknown, but likely associated with decaying vegetation or fungi.
• Breeding: Limited data; likely oviparous.
• Size: Under 5 mm.

1. Tephritidae (True fruit flies)

• Diet: Many species feed on fruit, some are agricultural pests.
• Breeding: Oviparous; larvae develop inside fruit.
• Size: 3–10 mm.

1. Tabanidae (Horseflies)

• Diet: Blood-feeding (females), nectar-feeding (males).
• Breeding: Larvae develop in aquatic or moist environments.
• Size: 10–25 mm.

1. Calliphoridae (Blowflies)

• Diet: Scavengers, some species parasitic.
• Breeding: Oviparous; larvae develop in decaying matter or wounds.
• Size: 4–12 mm.

1. Stratiomyidae (Soldier flies)

• Diet: Larvae feed on decaying organic matter; adults nectar-feed.
• Breeding: Oviparous; larvae develop in soil or aquatic habitats.
• Size: 5–20 mm.

1. Bombyliidae (Bee flies)

• Diet: Adults nectar-feed; larvae parasitize other insects.
• Breeding: Larvae develop inside host insects.
• Size: 3–15 mm.

1. Asilidae (Robber flies)

• Diet: Predatory, feeding on other insects.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in soil or decaying wood.
• Size: 10–30 mm.

1. Dolichopodidae (Long-legged flies)

• Diet: Predatory, feeding on small insects.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in moist environments.
• Size: 2–10 mm.

1. Empididae (Dance flies)

• Diet: Predatory, feeding on small insects.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in leaf litter or aquatic habitats.
• Size: 3–12 mm.

1. Syrphidae (Hoverflies)

• Diet: Adults nectar-feed; larvae vary from predatory to detritivorous.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in decaying matter or aphid colonies.
• Size: 5–15 mm.

1. Phoridae (Scuttle flies)

• Diet: Scavengers, some species parasitic.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in decaying matter or inside host organisms.
• Size: 1–6 mm.

1. Ceratopogonidae (Biting midges)

• Diet: Blood-feeding (females), nectar-feeding (males).
• Breeding: Larvae develop in aquatic or moist environments.
• Size: 1–3 mm.

1. Psychodidae (Moth flies)

• Diet: Adults nectar-feed; larvae feed on organic debris.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in moist environments.
• Size: 2–5 mm.

1. Chloropidae (Grass flies)

• Diet: Some species feed on plants, others are predatory.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in plant stems or decaying matter.
• Size: 2–8 mm.

1. Tachinidae (Parasitic flies)

• Diet: Larvae parasitize other insects; adults nectar-feed.
• Breeding: Larvae develop inside host insects.
• Size: 5–20 mm.

1. Muscidae (House flies and relatives)

• Diet: Scavengers, some species parasitic.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in decaying matter or animal waste.
• Size: 4–12 mm.

1. Anthomyiidae (Root maggot flies)

• Diet: Larvae feed on plant roots or decaying matter.
• Breeding: Larvae develop in soil or organic debris.
• Size: 3–10 mm.

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