Hemerodromiini

Hemerodromiini can be distinguished from other Empidinae tribes by the forelegs, which are typically raptorial with modified femora and tibiae adapted for capturing prey. The forelegs are often held forward in a characteristic 'praying' posture when at rest. Members lack the hyaline wing spots present in some related empidine tribes. The body is generally slender with a somewhat humpbacked thorax. Antennae are short with a terminal arista.

Associated with moist environments, particularly running water such as streams and rivers. Adults are often found on vegetation near water bodies or on wet rocks in splash zones. Larval stages develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic substrates including gravel beds of streams and moist soil along water margins.

Widespread distribution with records from multiple continents including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Individual species distributions vary; some are restricted to specific regions while others are more broadly distributed.

Adults are predatory, capturing small arthropod prey using their raptorial forelegs. Prey includes various small flying and non-flying insects.

Complete metamorphosis with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic, developing in moist substrates associated with running water. Pupation occurs in similar moist habitats.

Adults are agile predators that use their modified forelegs to capture prey. The characteristic 'praying' posture of the forelegs serves as both a resting position and a ready stance for prey capture. Flight is typically low and fast, often close to water surfaces or vegetation.

Predators in aquatic and riparian food webs. Adults control populations of small arthropods. Larvae contribute to nutrient cycling in aquatic systems and serve as prey for larger aquatic invertebrates and fish.

• ClinoceriniAnother tribe in Empidinae with aquatic larvae; Clinocerini generally have longer, more slender legs without the distinctly raptorial foreleg modification of Hemerodromiini
• EmpidiniTribe in same subfamily; Empidini typically have different leg proportions and often possess hyaline wing spots absent in Hemerodromiini
• ChelipodiniRelated tribe with raptorial forelegs; Chelipodini have more extreme foreleg enlargement and different wing venation patterns

• Diptera
• Empididae
• dance flies
• predatory flies
• aquatic insects
• raptorial legs
• running water
• riparian

• BugGuide
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life