Diagnosis. Small to very small, greyish black or shining black flies, sometimes with conspicuous silvery dusting. Lower frontoorbital setae inclinate (sometimes reduced or absent); upper frontoorbital setae proclinate or curved outwards. Costa with humeral and subcostal breaks; subcosta entire, but sometimes very thin. Tibiae without preapical setae. Ocellar triangle well developed. Proboscis often elongate; palpi large to very large and setose; vibrissae present, often very thin.
Biology. The larvae are coprophagous or saprophagous in the widest sense; living in organic detritus like decaying plants, dung, kitchen refuse and birds' nests. Adult flies may be caught on carrion and dung; some species are associated with ants. Some species even attach themselves to other, predatory Diptera (e.g. Asilidae) or even to Reduviidae or spiders, by which they are transported until a prey is captured. Afterwards they sup the exudations from the wounds of the victim in company of the predator.
General references. Hennig (1937 [general, keys], 1956 [larvae]), Papp (1984d [catalogue], 1993 [Madiza]), Papp & Wheeler (1998 [general, key to genera]), Sabrosky (1983 [Desmometopa], 1987b [general, key to genera]).
References to the local fauna. Beuk (2012a), Beuk & Brake (1996), Brake (2011a), De Meijere (1940, 1946a).
How to quote this page: Beuk, P.L.Th., 2017. Family Milichiidae. In: Beuk, P.L.Th. (Ed.): Checklist of the Diptera of the Netherlands, https://diptera-info.nl/news.php?fam=Milichiidae (date accessed: 30/03/2025).
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