Dolichopodidae
Guides
Microphorinae
Microphorinae is a subfamily of flies currently classified within Dolichopodidae (sensu lato), though historically treated as a separate family or subfamily of Empididae. The subfamily contains seven genera: two extant (Microphor and Schistostoma) and five extinct genera known from Cretaceous and Eocene amber deposits. The Nearctic fauna includes 33 species across both extant genera, with Schistostoma being notably diverse. Extinct species in Microphorites exhibit remarkable leg modifications suggesting complex behavioral adaptations.
Nanomyina
Nanomyina is a monotypic genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, containing only Nanomyina barbata. The genus was established by Harold E. Robinson in 1964. The single species is distinguished by conspicuous bristles on the lower face, referenced in its specific epithet "barbata" (Latin for "bearded").
Nanomyina barbata
Nanomyina barbata is a species of long-legged fly (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) described by Aldrich in 1902. The species was originally described in the genus Chrysotimus before being transferred to Nanomyina. It belongs to the subfamily Peloropeodinae, a group of small to medium-sized predatory flies. Limited published information exists regarding its biology and ecology.
Nematoproctus
Nematoproctus is a genus of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) established by Loew in 1857. Its subfamilial placement remains unresolved, with different authors assigning it to either Diaphorinae or Rhaphiinae. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, including North America, Europe, and East Asia.
Neoparentia caudata
Neoparentia caudata is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Sympycninae. First described by Van Duzee in 1917, this species is currently accepted in the genus Neoparentia. The genus Neoparentia is part of the diverse Dolichopodidae family, which comprises thousands of species of predatory flies known for their elongated legs. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Neurigona aestiva
Neurigona aestiva is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It was described by Van Duzee in 1913. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, with only four records documented on iNaturalist. The genus Neurigona belongs to a diverse family of predatory flies characterized by their elongated legs and metallic coloration.
Paraclius pumilio
Paraclius pumilio is a species of long-legged fly (Dolichopodidae) described by Loew in 1872. It belongs to the genus Paraclius, a group of predatory flies within the subfamily Dolichopodinae. The species has been documented through limited iNaturalist observations, suggesting it is either rare, under-recorded, or restricted in range. As with other dolichopodids, it likely occupies moist habitats near water or vegetation.
Paraphrosylus
Paraphrosylus is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae. Originally described as a subgenus of Aphrosylus, it was later elevated to full genus rank. Members of this genus are restricted to rocky coastlines of the Eastern Pacific, where they inhabit the intertidal zone. Six species are currently recognized, ranging from Alaska to southern California.
Parathalassius
Parathalassius is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Parathalassiinae. The genus name derives from Greek, meaning 'near the sea', reflecting its strict association with coastal habitats. The genus comprises 15 recognized species distributed across the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms, with nine species described from the Nearctic Region in a 2017 revision. Species are restricted to sandy marine coastlines, where they occupy beach and dune ecosystems.
Parathalassius abela
Parathalassius abela is a species of long-legged fly (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) described from the Nearctic Region in 2017. It was one of nine new species described in a revision of the genus Parathalassius. The species has been characterized using COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences and included in morphological phylogenetic analyses. As a member of the subfamily Parathalassiinae, it belongs to a group associated with sandy coastal habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Parathalassius uniformus
Parathalassius uniformus is a species of long-legged fly described from the Nearctic region in 2017. The species was established during a comprehensive revision of the genus Parathalassius, which included morphological phylogenetic analysis and COI mitochondrial DNA barcoding. It is one of twelve Nearctic species in the genus, nine of which were newly described in the same revision. The genus Parathalassius is associated with sandy coastal habitats.
Pelastoneurus longicauda
Pelastoneurus longicauda is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, a group characterized by elongated legs and metallic coloration. The species was described by Loew in 1861. Beyond basic taxonomic placement, specific biological details for this species remain undocumented in available sources.
Pelastoneurus vagans
Pelastoneurus vagans is a species of long-legged fly (family Dolichopodidae) first described by Loew in 1861. As a member of the subfamily Dolichopodinae, it shares the characteristic elongated legs and slender body typical of this diverse family of predatory flies. The species is documented in entomological collections and databases, with 173 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Plagioneurus
Plagioneurus is a monotypic genus of long-legged flies (family Dolichopodidae) containing a single species, Plagioneurus univittatus. It is the sole member of the subfamily Plagioneurinae. The genus is distinguished by an unusual wing venation pattern: the medial vein M converges obliquely with radial vein R4+5, a trait reflected in its etymology from Greek 'plágios' (oblique) and 'neûron' (nerve). Adults display metallic green thorax with a central black stripe and black abdomen with white pruinose posterior bands.
Plagioneurus univittatus
Plagioneurus univittatus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It is the sole member of the genus Plagioneurus and the only species in the subfamily Plagioneurinae. The species was described by Loew in 1857. It is distinguished from all other dolichopodid flies by its unique subfamily-level classification.
Rhaphium
Rhaphium is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, comprising over 200 described species. It is the largest genus within the subfamily Rhaphiinae. The genus is distributed across the Palearctic and Afrotropical regions, with 71 species recorded from Russia and 18 from the Afrotropical region. The generic name derives from Greek ῥάφιον (rháphion, "small needle"), referring to the needle-like shape of the antennae. Some species are considered rare and have been subject to conservation interest.
Rhaphium lugubre
Rhaphium lugubre is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. As a member of the Rhaphiinae subfamily, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies known for their elongated legs and agile flight. The genus Rhaphium contains numerous species distributed across the Holarctic region, though specific details about this particular species remain limited in published literature.
Rhaphium melampus
Rhaphium melampus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Rhaphiinae. The species was described by Hermann Loew in 1861. Like other members of the genus Rhaphium, it belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their elongated legs. The species has been documented in iNaturalist with 65 observations, suggesting it is not extremely rare, though detailed biological studies appear limited.
Scellus
long-legged flies
Scellus is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Males possess distinctive flag-like abdominal appendages called signa, connected by a U-shaped cingulum, which likely function in courtship signaling. The genus is closely related to Hydatostega, which shares a reduced form of this structure.
Scellus virago
Scellus virago is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Aldrich in 1907. Members of this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. As with other Dolichopodidae, adults are predatory. The species is known from limited observational records.
Sciapodinae
Sciapodinae is a subfamily of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) distinguished by ancestral wing venation features, including a branched vein M1+2. The group exhibits high diversity in tropical and subtropical regions of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. Phylogeographic evidence supports a Gondwanan origin during the Early Cretaceous. The subfamily contains three tribes—Mesorhagini, Sciapodini, and Chrysosomatini—with approximately 40 genera.
Sciapus platypterus
Sciapus platypterus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. The species was first described by Fabricius in 1805 under the basionym Dolichopus platypterus. It occurs across the Palearctic region with confirmed records from Belgium. As a member of Dolichopodidae, it belongs to a family known for predatory habits and distinctive elongated legs.
Sympycnus
Sympycnus is a genus of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) established by Loew in 1857. Species occur across Europe and the East Palaearctic, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Taxonomic revision has resolved substantial confusion in European species, particularly consolidating multiple synonyms under S. pulicarius and describing S. septentrionalis as a distinct northern species.
Syntormon
Syntormon is a genus of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) comprising approximately 110 species worldwide, with over half described from the Palaearctic realm. The genus is distinguished by a unique antennal structure where the pedicel bears a thumb-shaped projection inserting into the postpedicel. First described by Loew in 1857, the genus includes two recognized subgenera: Syntormon and Drymonoeca. Recent work has expanded known distributions to include Inner Mongolia, China.
Systenus albimanus
Systenus albimanus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Wirth in 1952. It belongs to the subfamily Medeterinae, a group of small to medium-sized predatory flies commonly found in moist habitats. The species is characterized by its distinctive white fore tarsi, referenced in its specific epithet 'albimanus' (white hand). Like other dolichopodids, it is presumed to be predatory as both adult and larval stages, though specific ecological studies on this species are limited.
Systenus eucercus
Systenus eucercus is a species of long-legged fly (Dolichopodidae) described by Steyskal in 1970. It belongs to the subfamily Medeterinae, a group characterized by slender bodies and elongated legs. The genus Systenus is distributed across the Holarctic region, with species often associated with moist terrestrial habitats. As with most dolichopodids, adults are predatory and contribute to insect population control in their ecosystems.
Tachytrechus angustipennis
Tachytrechus angustipennis is a predatory long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It has been recorded across much of the United States, from California and Utah to the eastern seaboard, and extends into the Neotropical realm and the Hawaiian Islands. Adults are known to inhabit algal mats in geothermal environments, notably at Yellowstone National Park. The species exhibits territorial behavior in males and preys primarily on Paracoenia eggs and larvae.
Tachytrechus auratus
Tachytrechus auratus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It is restricted to specialized wetland habitats in east-central Washington State, where it occurs on mud flats and freshet seeps. Adults are active from late spring through early autumn with a maximum lifespan of approximately one week. The species has a relatively brief pupal development period of 4 to 7 days.
Tachytrechus binodatus
Tachytrechus binodatus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1866. Members of this genus are typically found in association with moist or riparian habitats. Like other dolichopodids, they are predatory as adults. The species is part of a large and diverse family of small, often metallic flies that are challenging to identify without examination of male genitalia.
Tachytrechus dilaticosta
Tachytrechus dilaticosta is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1927. The genus Tachytrechus belongs to a diverse family of small predatory flies known for their metallic coloration and agile flight. Like other dolichopodids, members of this genus are active predators on other small insects. The species is rarely recorded, with minimal observational data available.
Tachytrechus floridensis
Tachytrechus floridensis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Aldrich in 1896. The genus Tachytrechus belongs to the diverse subfamily Dolichopodinae, which includes small to medium-sized predatory flies often found in sunny habitats. Members of this genus share the family's characteristic metallic coloration and elongated legs. The specific epithet "floridensis" indicates a connection to Florida, though detailed natural history information for this particular species remains limited in available sources.
Tachytrechus moechus
Tachytrechus moechus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. Members of this genus are part of a diverse family of small to medium predatory flies known for their metallic coloration and agile flight. Like other dolichopodids, they are predatory on small insects. The genus Tachytrechus is distinguished from related genera by specific morphological features of the male genitalia and leg ornamentation.
Tachytrechus sanus
Tachytrechus sanus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Osten Sacken in 1877. As a member of this diverse family, it shares the characteristic elongated legs and predatory habits typical of dolichopodids. The genus Tachytrechus is known for species that inhabit ground-level and open habitats rather than aquatic environments.
Tachytrechus vorax
Tachytrechus vorax is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Loew in 1861. As a member of this family, it shares the characteristic elongated legs and predatory habits typical of dolichopodid flies. The genus Tachytrechus is part of the diverse long-legged fly fauna of North America, though specific details about this particular species remain limited in published sources.
Thambemyia
Thambemyia is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, characterized by its exclusive association with rocky intertidal habitats. The genus is distributed across the Oriental and Neotropical realms, with a single Palearctic species from Japan. Taxonomic relationships with the genus Conchopus remain unresolved, with some authors treating the latter as a synonym while others recognize it as distinct. The genus currently comprises five described species plus a new subgenus established for the Japanese species.
Xanthochlorus
Xanthochlorus is a genus of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) established by Loew in 1857. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized predatory flies with characteristic yellow-green coloration. The genus occurs in the Holarctic region, with records from Scandinavia and North America. Like other dolichopodids, members are likely associated with moist habitats near water bodies.
Xanthochlorus helvinus
Xanthochlorus helvinus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. The genus Xanthochlorus is characterized by yellowish-green coloration, reflected in its name (from Greek xanthos 'yellow' and chloros 'green'). As a member of Dolichopodidae, it belongs to one of the largest families of Diptera, known for their elongated legs and predatory habits.