Numbers
Subfamily Achalcinae
Subfamily Diaphorinae
Subfamily Dolichopodinae
Subfamily Enliniinae
Subfamily Hydrophorinae
Subfamily Medeterinae
Subfamily Neurigoninae
Subfamily Peloropeodinae
Subfamily Plagioneurinae
Subfamily Rhaphiinae
Subfamily Sciapodinae
Subfamily Stolidosomatinae
Subfamily Sympycninae
Subfamily Xanthochlorinae
Identification
This is a large family of flies, and species vary in their appearance and biology. In general, adult flies are medium to small, slender flies with green, blue or copper metallic colored bodies and long legs. Their wings are clear or marked with darker areas towards the wing tips. Wing venation patterns are characteristic for identification to family. (2)
Range
Throughout the United States
(1).
Habitat
They are common in lightly shaded areas near swamps and streams, in meadows and woodlands. Larvae are primarily aquatic and semi-aquatic. (2)
Food
Mouthparts are for piercing (with a short proboscis). Adults and larvae are predaceous on small insects. Although immatures of some species mine stems of grasses and other plants or live under bark of trees. Not much is known about larval feeding habits although some species are known to be predaceous. (2)
Life Cycle
Larvae develop through several stages (instars) in wet to dry soil and pupate in cocoons made up of soil particles cemented together. Adults mate after elaborate and unique behavior, involving the males displaying their legs to the female. (2)
Print References
Pollet, M.A.A., Brooks, S.E. and Cumming, J.M. 2004. Catalog of the Dolichopodidae (Diptera) of America north of Mexico. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 283, 114 pp.
