Wilts
| Wilts | ||||||||||||
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Epiphragma ocellare |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Limoniidae | ||||||||||||
| Speiser , 1909 | ||||||||||||
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The wilts (Limoniidae), also known as swamp mosquitoes, are a family of the two-winged flies (Diptera) and are assigned to the mosquitoes (Nematocera). Around 10,000 species are known worldwide, around 290 in Germany. As with the closely related snakes (Tipulidae), their body size is quite large compared to other mosquito groups.
Characteristics of the widgeon
The build corresponds to that of the gnat, the large wings lie resting on top of each other on the back. In some species, especially members of the genus Dicranomyia , constant wing tremors can be observed. Apart from the representatives of the snow gnats (also snow flies or gnats Snow called genus Chionea ) are winged all kinds. In the group mentioned, both males and females are wingless and the flight muscles are regressed. As with all two-winged birds , the rear wings, which are converted into swinging arches ( holders ), are also present in them.
Behavior of the wilts
The flight time of many native species of waders is in the winter months from September to April. For this reason, they can also be found quite often on snow, and some species have also specialized in the way of life there. The animals never suckle blood; it is assumed that they suck up plant sap (observations and studies are lacking). Wilts sometimes form swarms, especially on warm winter days, when they are often confused with the winter mosquitoes (Trichoceridae). The mating of many species of widgeon is unknown, the eggs are probably laid in water and in the ground, as is the case with gnats.
Larval development
The spectrum of larval forms and the way of life is relatively large in the waders. They have hairy creeping bulges and can also have hooked feet. Breathing occurs mostly through a pair of tracheal openings ( stigmas ) at the rear end, which is surrounded by anal papillae for osmoregulation and four to five other processes, as in the flies. Skin breathing is also very common. The larvae feed on decomposing plant substances under the leaf litter or the bark of dead trees, Limonia quadrimaculata lives in tree fungi , and many other species live in the mud on the bottom of water and eat the detritus . The larvae of the species Thaumastoptera calceata live in trickle springs and form a two-lobed quiver. They graze on algae from stones and pupate in the quiver.
The doll breathes through lamellar structures (spiracular gills) on which air bubbles are held and thus form a plastron . These structures also make it possible to breathe atmospheric oxygen and act accordingly if the stone dries out. The pupae are often posable.
Fossil evidence
The oldest known fossil representatives of this family come from the Upper Triassic (approx. 220 million years old), further early fossil records come from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen limestone ( Tipunia intermedia ) (150 million years old) and Siberian amber from the Upper Cretaceous (80 to 100 million years old) ). Different genera of the widgeon have been identified in the Eocene Baltic amber . Isolated finds are also known from other tertiary amber deposits.
Genera and species (selection)
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Limonia
- Common cave mosquito ( Limonia nubeculosa )
- Limonia phragmitidis
literature
- K. Honomichl, H. Bellmann: Biology and ecology of the insects. + CD-Rom. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart 1994.
- H. Strübing: Snow insects. (= Neue Brehm Library. 220). Wittenberg 1958.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ George O. Poinar, Jr .: Life in Amber. Stanford University Press, Stanford (Cal.) 1992, ISBN 0-8047-2001-0 .