Apiocera
The Apioceridae, or flower-loving flies, are a small (about 150 species) family of flies, all in the single genus Apiocera. They occur mostly in dry, sandy habitats in the deserts of North America, South America, and Australia. Other genera formerly placed in Apioceridae are now in Mydidae. Diversity and biogeography. The roughly 150 species of "Apiocera" are divided into four subgenera, each restricted to a different continent. "Apiocera" is found in Australia, "Ripidosyrma" in southern Africa, "Pyrocera" in North America, and "Anypenus" in South America. Biology. "Apiocera" species are found in sandy, arid and semiarid habitats. Despite the  common name, most "Apiocera" species never visit flowers, but rather are found running on the ground near sparse vegetation, or feeding on honeydew beneath aphid-infested plants. They are often seen drinking from damp sand with their sponge-like mouthparts. The larvae of "Apiocera maritima" are found in sand near the high-water mark of coastal beaches. Species. This section contains a list of 138 species: