Numbers
Arnett, p. 889, lists 31 spp.
(1)
Nearctica.com lists 9 genera, 33 species, as follows:
Calobatina Enderlein 1922 (3 spp.), Cnodacophora Czerny 1930 (1 sp.), Compsobata Czerny 1930 (6 spp.), Grallipeza Rondani 1850 (1 sp.), Hoplocheiloma Cresson 1926 (1 sp.), Micropeza Meigen 1803 (16 spp.), Neria of authors (2 spp.), Rainieria Rondani 1843 (1 sp.), Taeniaptera Macquart 1835 (2 spp.)
Worldwide there are about 40 genera and a total of about 475 described species.
Identification
Odd little flies, known for their displaying (?) behavior of walking around and lifting their prominently marked front legs. Abdomen attached to thorax by "wasp-waist". Likely ant or wasp mimics. The posture of the forelegs may imitate ant and/or wasp antennae and provide them with some protection from predators (speculation--
Cotinis).
Habitat
Moist areas, marshes, wet woods
Season
Summer. June-August (Minnesota), May-October (Calobata, North Carolina)
Food
Adults of some species are attracted to rotting fruit or to dung; in other species adults are predaceous. For many species the diet of adults is not known.
Life Cycle
Known larvae are saprophagous.
Print References
Deyrup, p. 119--excellent photo
(2)
Borror and White, pp. 286-287, illustration
(3)
Internet References
Micropezidae of California--scanned bitmap, has keys.
Contributed by
Cotinis on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by
Stephen CresswellLast updated 3 May, 2009 - 4:29pm