DESCRIPTION: Approximately 9 to 12mm in length. The most common Dance-Fly with an overall dark and bristly appearance. The grey thorax has three black stripes, the prosternum is hairy all over, there are less than 4 bristles on the scutellum and the legs are black. There is also a distinct triangular cell close to the wing tip. BEHAVIOUR: Another carnivore that feeds on smaller insects. As with other Dance-Flies the males present a gift to females before mating. The gift comes in the form of a dead insect that is caught and pierced by the long proboscis. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread and common. HABITAT: Hedgerows, woodland edges and glades, open grassy areas especially with Hogweed present and other umbellifers. PERIOD: April to August. |
