Long-legged Flies

Long-legged Flies (Dolichopodidae) are small, approximately 1/4 inch in length and include species that are metallic green, blue, copper or bronze and others more drab in color. The wings are clear or marked with darker areas near the tips. The wing patterns are characteristics for identification to family. They are predators of mites, aphids and smaller flies. Adults mate after elaborate behavior involving the male displaying the legs to the female. The immature stages are not well known, although all are believed to be predatory. The larvae develop through several instars and pupate in cocoons made up of soil cemented together. This is a large family of about 1,275 species in North America.

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