Acroceridae

Acroceridae, commonly known as "owlflies," is a family of true flies belonging to the order Diptera. These insects are characterized by their stout, often hairy bodies, large heads, and prominent, forward-facing eyes. Their antennae are typically short and feathery or club-shaped. Acrocerid larvae are obligate endoparasitoids of spiders, with most species targeting mygalomorph spiders. Adult owlflies are often found in wooded or shrubby areas, where they may feed on nectar. Their flight is described as slow and somewhat clumsy. The family is distributed globally but is most diverse in tropical and subtropical regions. There are over 400 described species within the Acroceridae family, organized into several subfamilies. The life cycle of an owlfly begins when an adult female lays eggs, often on vegetation. Once the larvae hatch, they seek out a suitable spider host, which they then infest. The parasitic larva develops within the spider, eventually consuming it and emerging to pupate. Despite their parasitic nature, acrocerids play a role in regulating spider populations. Their unique life history and morphology make them of interest to entomologists studying insect evolution and parasitism.