dance fly

not listed

not listed

not listed

Rhamphomyia vittata is a small dance fly. It occurs in the United States in Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Adults are found in late spring and early summer in moist areas along the edges of fresh water. Larvae are found in moist soil.

Adults are small, 5 ⁄16″ to ⅜″ (8 to 10 mm) in length.

The head is small and more or less spherical. The neck is long and distinct. The compound eyes are large and bright orange. The mouthparts are extended into a long, rigid proboscis. This is the attribute that gives the family Empididae its scientific name. It is from the Greek and translates to “beak fly”. The antennae have three segments. The terminal segment has a long, slender style at the tip.

The thorax is large and bulbous, making the insect appear hump backed. It is bright orange with two longitudinal black stripes.

The abdomen is long and tapered. On the male, there is a conspicuous genital capsule under the abdomen. It is not folded forward.

The legs are long and slender.

The wings are clear.

5 ⁄16″ to ⅜″ (8 to 10 mm)

Moist areas along the edges of fresh water

May to June

Adults form mating swarms, with different species swarming at different times of day. The male will capture an insect and offer it as a gift to a potential mate.

Sources

24, 29, 30, 82.

Few of the more than 620 described species in the genus Rhamphomyia have a common name. The genus itself does not have a common name. The common name for the family Empididae is dance flies, and it is applied here for convenience.

Location: Woodbury, MN