Stephens, J.F. 1829. The nomenclature of British insects; being a compendious list of such species as are contained in the systematic catalogue of British insects, and forming a guide to their classification. London: i-ii, pp. 53.
Dicranomyia is one of the largest and most widely distributed genera within both the Limoniinae and the Tipuloidea as a whole. The current concept of Dicranomyia as displayed in the world catalog of Oosterbroek (2005) shows 23 subgeneric divisions. A large number of subgeneric divisions in this catalog were formally placed under Limonia, as defined by Alexander, and redefined as subgenera of Dicanomyia. The genus Dicranomyia in this current state does not offer a consistent synapomorphy by which the genus is based, rather this genus is best described as a extensive group of species that show variation around a common groundplan of wing venation (see Fig. 1) and male genetalia (see Fig. 2).
Dicranomyia (Dicranomyia) offers the groundplan characteristic by which the other subgernera of Dicranomyia are seen to vary from. It is here defined as having the following characteristics: Sc1 slightly removed from Sc2 and ending near the origin of Rs, three Radial veins (R1+2, R3, R4+5) to wing margin, and bifid male hypopygium with the ventral gonostylus with a rostral projection equipped with 2 or more rostral spines. Additional revisionary work is need to better define this genus.
Dicranomyia (Dicranomyia) is an extensive subgenus of over 700 species that are widely distributed and known from all biogeographic regions. The subgenus finds is greatest species richness in the tropical regions (Neotropical: 346 spp.; Australasian/Oceanian: 251; Oriental: 235). Although the remaining biogeograpic regions show a significantly lower level of richness, they are still quite rich (Afrotropical: 62; Palearctic: 35; Nearctic: 93).
The larval habitats of D. (Dicranomyia) are difficult to generalize. Larvae have been found in a great array of diverse habitats including aquatic systems (fresh and saline), vegetation (wood and leaf mining), moss, and fungus. A diverse feeding strategy is similarly seen, with different species being fungivorous, predaceous, hebivorous, and saprophagous. Some species have even been known to show omnivourous tendencies.
