Subject: Dancing Bug Identification
Geographic location of the bug: South Florida, USA
Date: 02/28/2018
Time: 10:57 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hello! There is a bug I seen often that does a little dance. They waive their front legs around in big circles, and do a little squat with theit
back legs. The backside of their abdomen is hooked under and sometimes rattles or shakes while they dance. Sometimes they have a red hue on their thorax. They fly and although it looks like they have a stinger, I’ve never noticed them sting anyone or be aggressive.
How you want your letter signed: Nina M
Dear Nina,
Your subject line “Dancing Bug” really caught our attention, and your description of the behavior of this Stilt Legged Fly from the family Micropezidae, is very descriptive. According to BugGuide: “Known for their walking around and lifting their prominently marked front legs imitating ichneumon wasps.”