Family: Lauxaniidae (lauxaniid flies)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Phylum: Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda > Insecta (insects) > Dicondyla > Pterygota > Metapterygota > Neoptera > Eumetabola > Holometabola > Panorpida > Antliophora > Diptera (flies) > Brachycera > Muscomorpha > Eremoneura > Cyclorrapha > Schizophora > Lauxanoidea

Cestrotus sp., commonly found strutting around on rocks near streams in mountain fynbos. [photo Hamish Robertson]

Lauxaniids are usually found in damp places and the larvae are found in leaf litter. Members of the genus Cestrotus are commonly found strutting around on rocks near water and are the most conspicuous members of the family in South Africa. A total of 27 species of lauxaniids have been recorded from South Africa (SA Animal Checklist).