Diagnosis.Coenomyiinae: Large (16.0-18.0 mm), robust flies, body with many setae. Head relatively small with orthorrhaphous antennae. Scutellum with a pair of short spines. Wing with four veins emitting from discal cell; anal cell narrowly open. Adult flies emit a penetrating smell. Larvae pale, narrowing anteriorly.
Xylophaginae: Small to medium-sized flies (5.0-9.0 mm) with slender build. Head spherical and without strong setae; antennae with clearly 8-segmented flagellum; mouthparts fleshy and protruding. Thorax somewhat arched and without strong setae. Wing membrane with markings; R with four branches; discal cell present, emitting three veins; cell cup long and with open apex at the wing margin. Legs long and slender; tibiae with ventral spurs. Abdomen generally long and tapering.
Biology.Coenomyiinae: Adults are usually found in forests and feed on honeydew and nectar. Larvae live as predators on insect larvae in upper soil layers that are rich in organic matter, especially dead wood. They also have been found in decaying wood itself.
Xylophaginae: Larvae live under bark and in decaying wood, sometimes in the rotting contents of tree holes. They probably are predators. Adult are usually found in woodland, especially in more rich and humid forests.
General references. Chandler (1998c [nomenclature]), Van der Goot (1985c [general, key]), James (1981a [general]), Nagatomi & Rozkošný (1997a [general; systematics Coenomyiinae], 1997b [general; key to genera Xylophaginae]).
References to the local fauna. Van Aartsen (1997), Beuk & Zeegers (1992), Van der Goot (1979b, 1985c), Van der Goot & Lucas (1966), Reichwein & Van Eck (1996).
How to quote this page: Beuk, P.L.Th., & V.S. van der Goot, 2001. Family Xylophagidae. In: Beuk, P.L.Th. (Ed.): Checklist of the Diptera of the Netherlands, https://diptera-info.nl/news.php?fam=Xylophagidae (date accessed: 19/04/2025).
NL: 3
B: 4
D: 3
UK: 3
World: 93
XYLOPHAGIDAE
COENOMYIINAE
Coenomyia Latreille, 1796
ferruginea (Scopoli, 1763)
N
XYLOPHAGINAE
Xylophagus Meigen, 1803
ater Meigen, 1804
N
Note 1
= compeditus Meigen, 1820: misident.
cinctus (De Geer, 1776)
N
Deleted species
Xylophagus Meigen, 1803
compeditus Meigen, 1820
Note 1
Notes
Note 1
The confusion about the identities of X. ater and X. compeditus was resolved by Chandler (1998c) through designation of a lectotype for X. ater and thus fixing its identity. Xylophagus ater is the species hitherto recorded from the Netherlands under the name X. compeditus.
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