Dance fly congregation

Some in family Hybotidae are predators that run around on the bark of trees in complex patterns, hence the common name.

Very small flies, no more than 10 mm body length

comments (6)

Christine Young

Lion

Wow! I've seen mosquitoes in such numbers, but think dance flies are definitely preferable. Posted 4 years ago
1. Ruth Spigelman
  
  Lion
  
  Absolutely! After seeing this, I learned that these swarms are either migratory or mating. Stationary mating swarms form over a specific substrate or ‘marker’. In mosquitoes, males aggregate first and then the females arrive one by one. Interactions involve visual and auditory cues, but the ultimate result of these interactions is the same. Pairs form and depart for in-flight copulation. Perhaps the same for these dance flies here. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Cool! I did not realize that dance flies formed stationary mating swarms. That's really fascinating. With mosquitoes, I have seen such numbers on my (and my co-worker's) body. I trapped mosquitoes in national parks during grad school and some saltmarsh locations had intense densities of mosquitoes. We were covered in them! Needless to say, we wore long shirts and pants, plus mosquito head nets. Posted 4 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Great that you managed to identify this species. Happy new year! Posted one year ago
1. Ruth Spigelman
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks so much Ferdy and to you too. Credit for ID goes to a FB friend, an entomologist/dipterist. Posted one year ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Handy friend to have :) Posted one year ago