Antlered flies, collectively, are notable for their unique mating behavior and the unusual antler-like extensions on the heads of the males.

[2][4] The male characteristics (size, long back legs, antlers) are most likely a result of sexual selection.

[2] Phytalmia mouldsi lives only in one rainforest area on the northeast coast of the Cape York Peninsula of Australia.

They lay their eggs and the larvae only eat one specific species of decaying tree: Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum.

Most similar are stalk-eyed flies; the males compare eye stalk spans to determine the winner and avoid an energy-consuming encounter (6).

[4] The six other antlered species in Phytalmiinae include P. cervicornis, P. alcicornis, P. biarmata, P. megalotis, P. antilocapra, and P.

[4] In 2005, a study was conducted on several species of Phytalmia to determine is environmental stresses negatively impacted development of antlers.

Only one species, Phytalia biarmata, showed increased asymmetry in deforested areas; so, the data did not strongly support the hypothesis.