Empididae

dance flies, dagger flies, balloon flies

Genus Guides

Anthepiscopus
Clinocerinae(aquatic dance flies)
Empidinae(dance flies)
Hemerodromiinae(dance flies)
Iteaphila

is a large of predatory flies comprising over 3,000 described distributed worldwide across all biogeographic realms, with the greatest diversity in the Holarctic. are primarily predatory, capturing diverse prey including other Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and other insects. The family exhibits notable behavioral diversity, including elaborate courtship rituals involving —males of some species present prey wrapped in silk balloons to females. Larvae occupy moist terrestrial or aquatic and appear to be predatory as well. Formerly, Hybotidae was included as a , but is now recognized as a separate family.

Trichoclinocera by (c) Zachary Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zachary Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Hilara lutea by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Empis by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Empididae: //ɛmˈpɪdɪˌdeɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Small to medium-sized flies (1.0–15.0 mm), slender to elongated in body form, never metallic. typically small and rounded with relatively large ; eyes of males often contiguous (). three-segmented with third segment bearing or style. Eyes frequently with incision at antennal level. variable—long and piercing in many , short in others; when elongate, projects forward or downward toward fore legs. Legs long and slender, often powerful; fore legs in some . Wings clear or partially tinged, sometimes with stigma spot or distinct pattern; radial R4+5 often forked; discal-medial (dm) almost always present; ends at or just beyond R4+5 or continues along wing margin. lobe on wing margin with axillary angle often diagnostic. Distinguished from Dolichopodidae and Hybotidae by unrotated, symmetrical terminalia; from Ragadidae and Atelestidae by with proepisternum forming precoxal bridge.

Images

Habitat

occupy diverse including forest understories, tree trunks, aquatic vegetation, stream beds, seepage areas, grasslands, agricultural fields, marshes, coastal zones, and beaches. Some frequent protected structures such as building interiors near organic matter. Larvae occur in moist soil, rotten wood, , and aquatic or semiaquatic environments.

Distribution

Worldwide in all biogeographic realms; majority of in Holarctic. Well-represented in North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and elsewhere. Poorly documented in some regions such as Colombia (only six species reported).

Seasonality

particularly abundant in spring; activity patterns vary by and latitude.

Diet

are predatory, capturing diverse prey including other Diptera (including conspecifics), Hemiptera, , Lepidoptera, Trichoptera, Thysanoptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Coleoptera, Collembola, and Acari. Some adult groups (Iteaphila, Anthepiscopus, Anthalia, Allanthalia, Euthyneura) are exclusively anthophilous, feeding on pollen and nectar. Larvae appear predatory on various arthropods, particularly other Diptera larvae.

Life Cycle

Complete . Larvae hemicephalic with reduced capsule often retracted into ; eight-segmented with paired bearing hooks on segments 1–7 or 1–8; highly separated or absent; anal segment with one to four lobes. Pupae lack .

Behavior

are active , often perching on vegetation or substrates to scan for prey. Many form mating swarms where males aggregate and compete for females; in some species sex roles are reversed with females competing for male attention. Elaborate courtship rituals include presentation of silk-wrapped prey items ( balloons) by males to females; balloon composition varies from containing large prey to inedible dried items to empty silk or saliva constructions. Some species exhibit striking female ornaments including feathery leg , darkened wings, and inflatable abdominal sacs.

HybotidaeFormerly included as Hybotinae; now separate . Hybotids have smaller, more spherical relative to body and different wing venation.
DolichopodidaeLong-legged flies typically metallic green, , or bronze; distinguished from by rotated and asymmetrical terminalia.
AsilidaeRobber flies are generally larger, more robust, with deep concave area between and bearded ; distinguished by these features plus different wing venation.