Long-tailed Dance Fly vs Banded General Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-tailed Dance Fly | Banded General Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhamphomyia longicauda | Stratiomys potamida |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Empididae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 5-8mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Long-tailed Dance Fly
A small dark fly where females inflate their legs with air to appear larger during mating swarms. Males present nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Females inflate their legs with air bubbles to look larger and more impressive to choosy males in mating swarms.
Banded General Soldier Fly
A large, boldly marked soldier fly with a broad flat abdomen bearing yellow lateral markings. Its aquatic larvae are elongate and can breathe through a posterior spiracle at the water surface.
Did You Know?
Larvae can survive in heavily polluted water where most other aquatic insects cannot live.