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Oct 28, 2007
SW-China
about 2mm

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First though was Lauxaniidae, but 2 mm is small and the behaviou appears to be atypical. I was wondering about Camillidae...
Did you collect some that you can send?

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This certainly doesn't belong to the family Lauxaniidae, since there seems to be at least one costal break. It does look like a Camillidae, but are there Camillidae with such an elongate third antennal segment?

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I think it may be Ephydridae, I've seen something alike in Thailand.
Is it yours, Tony?

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Mmmm.. I looked at Loepa's pictures and decided to keep quiet for while. The similarity to your specimen (which I agree is Ephydridae) is due to convergent evolution - apart from being small, black and shiny, the elongate antennae are the only thing they share. Head shape, body shape and (especially) posture are all different. The posture of Loepa's flies bothers me most - no self-respecting ephydrid would ever wander around in that ridiculous way.
Camillidae seems like a good bet to me. Someone with access to a good world acalypterate collection should be able to spot this one. Are you awake, yet Steve?

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many thanks!
I post some more photos now.

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spectacular flies!! lucky you! I'd go for Camillidae as well.

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Send some specimens, PLEASE!

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Sometimes I asked myself: are we normal? And then, I see many flies pass over my head and follow them trying catch!

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Thanks for all of you.
Paul and Jorge, please look at PM.

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I'll dive into the books again, tonight, with these images.