Long-tailed Dance Fly vs March Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-tailed Dance Fly | March Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhamphomyia longicauda | Bibio marci |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Empididae | Bibionidae |
| Size | 5-8mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| 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.
March Fly
A common black fly that swarms in large numbers around Saint Marks Day in April.
Did You Know?
Mating pairs fly joined together with the smaller male dangling beneath the female.