Micropezidae
Guides
Calobatina
Calobatina is a genus of stilt-legged flies in the family Micropezidae, established by Enderlein in 1922. The genus contains at least two described species, including Calobatina geometra. These flies are characterized by their elongated, stilt-like legs and distinctive foreleg-waving behavior. The only species with documented natural history information, C. geometra, has been observed aggregating on standing dead white oak trunks in dry-mesic upland deciduous forest.
Calobatina geometra
Calobatina geometra is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, occurring in the eastern United States. Adults are noted for their distinctive elongated middle and hind legs, their wasp-like appearance suggesting mimicry of ichneumonid wasps, and their characteristic behavior of waving their forelegs, which bear conspicuous white bands above black feet. The species has been observed aggregating on standing dead oak trunks in dry-mesic upland deciduous forest.
Cnodacophora nasoni
Cnodacophora nasoni is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, originally described as Calobata nasoni by Cresson in 1914. Members of this family are characterized by their elongated legs and slender bodies. The species is known from limited observations in North America, with records from the Kansas City metro area during citizen science events.
Compsobata
stilt-legged flies
Compsobata is a genus of stilt-legged flies in the family Micropezidae, established by Czerny in 1930. The genus contains at least 20 described species. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated legs, a trait common to the family Micropezidae. The immature stages and biology of at least one species, C. univitta, have been described in taxonomic literature.
Compsobata kennicotti
Compsobata kennicotti is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, first described by Banks in 1926. The species was originally placed in the genus Calboata before being transferred to Compsobata. Micropezidae flies are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive posture. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Compsobata mima
Compsobata mima is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae. It was originally described as Trepidaria mima by Hennig in 1936 before being transferred to the genus Compsobata. The species is known from limited observations, with only two records documented on iNaturalist. As a member of the Micropezidae, it belongs to a family characterized by elongated legs and distinctive wing-raising behavior.
Compsobata univitta
Compsobata univitta is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, subfamily Calobatinae. The species was described by Walker in 1849. Stilt-legged flies are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive posture. The genus Compsobata belongs to a group of flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter and forest floor habitats.
Grallipeza nebulosa
stilt-legged fly
Grallipeza nebulosa is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae. The species was originally described by Loew in 1866 under the name Calobata nebulosa. Stilt-legged flies in this family are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive body proportions.
Hoplocheiloma totliana
Hoplocheiloma totliana is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae. The species was originally described by Gmelin in 1790 under the basionym Musca totliana. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated legs and distinctive body proportions. Limited published information exists regarding the specific biology of this species.
Micropeza compar
Micropeza compar is a species of stilt-legged fly (family Micropezidae) described by Cresson in 1938. The genus Micropeza is characterized by extremely long, slender legs and a distinctive elongated body form. Members of this family are commonly known as stilt-legged flies or thread-legged flies due to their remarkable limb proportions. M. compar is one of numerous species within this diverse genus of acalyptrate flies.
Mitromyia
Mitromyia is a genus of stilt-legged flies (family Micropezidae) established by Cresson in 1930. Its taxonomic status is uncertain, with some sources treating it as a synonym of Taeniaptera. The genus has been rarely documented, with only 10 observations recorded on iNaturalist. As a micropezid, members likely possess the family's characteristic elongated legs and slender body form, though specific diagnostic features for the genus remain poorly characterized.
Rainieria
A genus of stilt-legged flies (Diptera: Micropezidae) containing at least 20 described species. Members are characterized by their elongated legs and slender bodies typical of the family. The genus has a Palearctic distribution with records from Europe and Asia, including recent discoveries in South Korea. Some species, such as Rainieria calceata, are considered rare and endangered with limited dispersal capabilities.
Taeniaptera
Taeniaptera is a genus of stilt-legged flies in the family Micropezidae, established by Macquart in 1835. The genus contains at least four described species, including T. feei, T. lasciva, T. trivittata, and the more recently described T. teresacristinae. Species in this genus are distributed across the American tropical zone and have been documented in various Amazonian habitats as well as farmland environments. Taxonomic revisions have relied heavily on external morphology and genital anatomy of both sexes.
Taeniaptera trivittata
Taeniaptera trivittata is a species of stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae, characterized by its elongated legs and distinctive body markings. The species was first described by Macquart in 1835. As a member of the Micropezidae, it exhibits the family's typical adaptations for walking on vegetation and other surfaces. The species has been documented in numerous observations, suggesting it is relatively common within its range.
Taeniapterinae
Taeniapterinae is a subfamily of stilt-legged flies within the family Micropezidae, comprising at least nine described species across five genera: Calobatina, Grallipeza, Hoplocheiloma, Rainieria, and Taeniaptera. Members of this subfamily are characterized by their elongated legs and are distributed across the Neotropical region, with some Caribbean endemic species showing regional endemism patterns. The genus Grallipeza has been documented from the Lesser Antilles, where males exhibit territorial behavior in low vegetation.