Field Guide to Flies with Three Pulvilli: Families of Homeodactyla of Northwest Europe

This field guide describes eight families of flies that have three pulvilli on their feet (tarsi) as a common characteristic. These are older and closely related families of flies (Homeodactyla). More than 150 species are described, from ‘irritating’ Horseflies to brightly coloured Soldierflies, from slender Awl-flies to tiny Hunchback flies and from stocky Odour-flies to slender-legged Snipeflies. Species texts offer short information on occurrence, flight season and rarity. Clear photographs support the texts.

Species can be identified as much as possible from field characteristics or photographs. Keys are supported by functional drawings which clearly illustrate the characteristics. Characteristics which can be seen only in living specimens, such as eye colour, are used as much as possible. In that way, this guide is useful for both nature lovers and beginning and expert entomologists.

Theo and André together published an earlier digital field guide to Horseflies (Veldgids Dazen) on Waarneming.nl. The content of the digital guide on horseflies has been integrated in its entirety in this field guide.

Contents

• Introduction + acknowledgements
  Which species are included in this field guide?
  Where can this guide be used?
  Comparison of sizes
  How to use this guide
  Species
  Nomenclature
  Sources
  Faunistic literature
  Morphology
• Key to the families
  Acroceridae – Hunchback-flies
  Key to genera
  Key to species + descriptions
  Athericidae – Water-snipeflies
  Key + descriptions
  Coenomyiidae – Odour-flies
  Descriptions
  Rhagionidae – Snipeflies
  Key to genera
  Key to species + descriptions
  Stratiomyidae – Soldierflies
  Key to genera
  Key to species + descriptions
  Tabanidae – Horseflies
  Key to genera
  Key to species + descriptions
  Xylomyidae – Wood-soldierflies
  Key + descriptions
  Xylophagidae – Awl-flies
  Key + descriptions
• Supplements
  Distribution per country, and flight season
  Photographers / Useful websites
  Index English names
  Index scientific names