DESCRIPTION: Approximately 6 - 10mm in length. Also known as a 'Dance-Fly this individual species is best recognised by the long dagger-like snout, the grey thorax with 4 black stripes, the grey and black abdomen with lateral spotting and the reddish-orange legs. BEHAVIOUR: A carnivore feeding on smaller insects. Males like to present a 'gift' to the female, in the form of a dead insect, usually before mating takes place. Females will not mate with males who do not present a gift. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread but possibly under-recorded. HABITAT: A lover of flowery hedgerows where prey can be easily found. PERIOD: April to early June. |
