Empidinae

dance flies

Genus Guides

4

Empidinae, commonly called dance flies, are a of predatory empidoid flies. Males of many form mating swarms near visual markers, often presenting captured prey to females as during courtship. The subfamily exhibits diverse mating systems, including and sex-role reversal where females swarm and males choose mates. Many species are effective of flowering plants, particularly in alpine and subalpine where they can achieve pollination effectiveness comparable to honeybees.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Empidinae: //ˌɛmpɪˈdɪniː//

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Identification

Empidinae are distinguished from other Empididae by the presence of a forked R4+5 wing in many , though this character varies. The subfamily includes the large Empis and Rhamphomyia, historically separated by R4+5 forking; Empis typically has the vein forked near the tip while Rhamphomyia does not. is pronounced in many species, with males displaying secondary sexual characters including pinnate leg , darkened or enlarged wings, and inflatable abdominal air sacs.

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Habitat

Occurs across diverse from coastal areas to alpine zones. In mountain , abundance increases with elevation, becoming among flower-visiting insects above 1500 m. Coastal occur in Australia and New Zealand. High arctic species occupy tundra environments.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution with exceptional diversity in the Neotropical region, where twelve of fourteen recognized occur and seven are . Present in temperate Chile and Argentina, the wider Neotropics, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Diet

Predatory on small insects. Females of many obtain food exclusively through prey transfer from males during mating and do not hunt independently. Both sexes visit flowers for nectar, with many species acting as .

Life Cycle

Larvae pass through three instars (characteristic of lineage).

Behavior

Males form mating swarms at assembly stations controlled by visual markers. Courtship involves presentation of —captured prey or inedible objects including secreted balloons—to females. Males use large in the upper to detect and approach females, performing a 'holding ' display. In some , sex roles are reversed with female swarming and male mate choice. Arctic species show behavioral and morphological adaptations to reduced flight activity, including reduced male eye specialization in non-flying species.

Ecological Role

Major in alpine and subalpine plant , contributing substantially to plant-pollinator network stability in mountain . Large Empis can match honeybee pollination effectiveness for some plant species. Predatory contributes to insect .

Human Relevance

Contribute to pollination of wild plants in montane . Potential to climate change due to broad altitudinal distribution and ability to access floral unavailable to other .

Similar Taxa

  • Empididae (other subfamilies)Empidinae distinguished by R4+5 wing venation patterns and the presence of derived mating including presentation; other lack the combination of swarm-based mating with prey transfer courtship.

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