Phylogenetic systematics of the Milichiidae

Summarized from Brake (2000)

The Milichiidae are a monophyletic family (Click here for phylogenetic tree). Apomorphic characters for the Milichiidae are:

The Milichiidae can be divided into 3 subfamilies: Phyllomyzinae, Madizinae, and Milichiinae. The Phyllomyzinae are the first to branch off. The Madizinae and Milichiinae are sister-groups. Apomorphies for the Madizinae + Milichiinae are:

  • posterior orbital seta medio-reclinate
  • postocellar setae parallel to slightly converging
  • basisternum large and V-shaped
  • phallapodemic sclerite fused with bases of pregonites and hypandrium
  • median part of hypandrium lost
  • ?secondary ovipositor (sternite 8 form two strips, ring of barbed spines between sternite 7 and 8, ovipositor short, supra-anal plate bare, cerci short)

Phyllomyzinae

The Phyllomyzinae consist of the genera Aldrichiomyza, Costalima, Microsimus, Neophyllomyza, Paramyia, Paramyioides, Phyllomyza, Stomosis, and Xenophyllomyza. This subfamily is characterized by the following apomorphies:

Madizinae

The Madizinae consist of the genera Desmometopa, Madiza, and Leptometopa. This subfamily is characterized by the following apomorphies:

Milichiinae

The Milichiinae consist of the genera Enigmilichia, Eusiphona, Milichia, Milichiella, Pholeomyia, and Ulia. The Milichiinae are characterized by the following apomorphies:


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Content by Irina Brake, last updated: April 22, 2004

Background photo: Madiza glabra Fallén on flowers of Solidago canadensis