Diagnosis. Small to medium-sized (6.0-9.0 mm) flies with dark body and often reddish legs. Head small and spherical; no postocellar setae and vibrissae. Wing without costal breaks. Legs rather slender but especially hind femora thickened, the latter with double row of short spines; tibiae without dorsal pre-apical seta. Abdomen slender and long. General build reminiscent of parasitic wasps but with short antennae.
Biology. Larvae live as predators under tree bark. Adults are usually found on or near logs or tree trunks.
General references. Chandler (1977 [general]), Van der Goot & Van Veen (1987 [general], 1996 [general]).
References to the local fauna. Van der Goot (1992, 1999), Van der Goot & Van Veen (1987, 1996), Van Zuijlen (1996e).
How to quote this page: Beuk, P.L.Th., & V.S. van der Goot, 2001. Family Megamerinidae. In: Beuk, P.L.Th. (Ed.): Checklist of the Diptera of the Netherlands, https://diptera-info.nl/news.php?fam=Megamerinidae (date accessed: 08/11/2025).