Unraveling the World of Long Legged Flies: Essential Facts Revealed

The long-legged fly is a fascinating creature found in various environments. These small, slender insects often showcase metallic-green, blue, or copper-colored bodies, giving them a distinct and eye-catching appearance¹. Their long legs are not just for show; they serve a practical purpose, as these flies are known predators of smaller, soft-bodied insects like aphids and thrips².

Due to their predatory nature, long-legged flies are considered beneficial in controlling garden pests. They are commonly found in irrigated areas, making them a frequent visitor in many gardens throughout the United States². If you come across one of these metallic beauties in your own garden, take a moment to appreciate their role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Overview of Long Legged Flies

Dolichopodidae Family

Long-legged flies belong to the Dolichopodidae family, which is a large and diverse group of insects.

Order Diptera

These flies are part of the order Diptera, which means they are true flies with one pair of wings.

Appearance and Coloration

Long-legged flies are known for their striking metallic colors that vary across the family. Here are some common hues:

• Green
• Blue
• Red
• Copper
• Gold
• Bronze
• Emerald

These flies are small and slender, with clear or marked wings. They have long legs that give them a distinct appearance. The long-legged fly is an example of these metallic colored insects with long legs and clear wings.

Comparison of Coloration:

These flies are not only visually striking but also play a role in controlling other small pest insects. By understanding their appearance and characteristics, we can appreciate and identify these unique creatures more easily.

Biology and Life Cycle

Eggs

Long-legged flies lay their eggs individually or in small clumps, usually on leaves or other surfaces near gardens, grasslands, and wetlands. These eggs are tiny and typically hatch within a few days, depending on the environment and species.

Larvae

Upon hatching, the long-legged fly larvae (also called maggots) emerge and begin feeding on various organic materials like decaying leaves and other small organisms. The larvae go through several instars, or growth stages, before reaching the pupal stage.

• Characteristic features of larvae:
  • Short and stout body
  • Lack of developed antennae
  • Feeding on organic matter

Pupa

The pupal stage is when the long-legged fly undergoes complete metamorphosis, transforming from a larva to an adult within a protective cocoon-like casing. This stage can last from several days to a few weeks, again depending on the species and surrounding conditions.

Adults

Adult long-legged flies are small (typically around ¼”), slender, and often metallic (green, copper, bronze, or blue) in color with clear or marked wings and long legs. They can be found in various habitats, including gardens, grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands.

Comparison of life stages:

In summary, the life cycle of long-legged flies involves four main stages: eggs, larvae, pupa, and adults. While their size and appearance vary across these stages, they all play a vital role in the fly’s development.

Habitat and Distribution

Meadows and Gardens

Long-legged flies are often found in meadows and gardens as these habitats provide:

• Abundant flower resources for feeding
• Adequate spaces for breeding and laying eggs

For example, they can help control pest populations in these areas by preying on small insects such as aphids and mites.

Woodlands and Forests

In woodlands and forests, long-legged flies can be found in:

• Leaf litter and decaying organic matter
• On tree trunks and branches

This habitat supports their primary food source of small insects and also protects them from predators like birds.

Landscapes and Urban Areas

Long-legged flies are also found in landscapes and urban areas, where they can inhabit:

• Parks and recreational areas
• Domestic gardens and green spaces

Here are some important characteristics of long-legged flies:

• Belong to the Animalia kingdom, Arthropoda phylum, and Insecta class
• Medium to small, slender flies with metallic green, blue, or copper bodies
• Long legs and clear or marked wings
• Native to various regions, including Mexico

Pros of having long-legged flies:

• Help control garden pests
• Act as pollinators for some plants
• Maintain ecological balance

Cons of having long-legged flies:

• May become an annoyance if found indoors
• Some species are known to bite humans, causing mild discomfort

Behavior and Predation

Prey and Feeding Habits

Long legged flies, metallic-green to blue in color, are common in most gardens and primarily inhabit irrigated areas. They are predators of various small, soft-bodied insects like:

• Aphids
• Thrips
• Young caterpillars
• Mites

These predators provide benefits to gardeners since they are known to keep a number of plant pests under control, thus protecting their plants from damage.

Predator-Prey Interactions

Long legged flies actively hunt their prey by chasing and capturing them. Their predation on pests like aphids and mites helps maintain a balanced garden ecosystem and offers a natural way to control pests. Their feeding habits are particularly beneficial for plants as they reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Comparison Table: Long Legged Fly Prey

Courtship and Mating

Long legged flies exhibit intricate courtship rituals involving series of displays, such as:

• Male flies extending and waving their wings
• Males offering females a prey item as a nuptial gift

Once the female accepts the male’s advances, mating occurs. Their courtship and mating behaviors play a vital role in maintaining their population, ensuring they can continue providing their beneficial role as natural predators in a garden ecosystem.

Role in the Ecosystem

Beneficial Insects

Long-legged flies are helpful arthropods in the ecosystem. They are beneficial insects because:

• Predators: They feed on small insects and pests like aphids, mites, and thrips.
• Pollinators: Their adult stage involves visiting flowers for nectar, aiding in pollination.

Garden Helpers

These flying insects make excellent garden helpers due to their predatory behavior:

• Pest control: They contribute to the natural reduction of harmful pests.
• Minimal damage: Long-legged flies do not harm plants or crops.

Food Source for Wildlife

Long-legged flies serve as a food source for various wildlife species, including:

• Birds
• Spiders
• Other insect-eating predators

In summary, long-legged flies play vital roles as beneficial insects, garden helpers, and a food source for wildlife. Their predatory nature helps regulate pests, they assist in pollination, and they contribute to the food chain within the ecosystem.

Identification and Management

Fly Identification

Long-legged flies are medium to small, slender flies with distinct features such as:

• Metallic colored bodies (green, blue, or copper)
• Long legs
• Clear or patterned wings
• Red eyes (in some species)

These flies can often be found on tree bark, soil, and vegetation.

Potential Pests

While long-legged flies can be beneficial for controlling harmful pests in gardens, they also prey on certain insects causing a scarcity. Their main targets include:

• Aphids
• Thrips
• Young caterpillars
• Mites

Control Methods

In most situations, long-legged flies are considered beneficial for gardening and aren’t harmful to humans. However, there may still be reasons to manage their population.

Pros:

• Effectively controls harmful insect pests
• Contributes to a balanced ecosystem

Cons:

• Predator to some beneficial insects
• May negatively affect certain plant species

To control long-legged fly populations:

1. Use physical barriers like netting to protect plants
2. Utilize natural enemies, such as specific predatory insects
3. Employ responsible pesticide use (if necessary and allowed)

In general, carefully monitoring and managing insect populations in your garden will maintain a balanced ecosystem and ensure better plant health.

Related Flies

Crane Flies

Crane flies are a type of fly belonging to the family Tipulidae, which are often mistaken for giant mosquitoes. They have:

• Long, slender bodies
• Extremely long legs
• Two wings

Examples of crane flies include Tipula and Nephrotoma genera. Crane flies are not considered pest insects or parasites and are mostly harmless to humans.

Robber Flies

Robber flies, or asilidae, are known for their aggressive, predatory behavior. They have:

• A strong, stout body
• Large eyes
• Short, sharp proboscis

Examples include Efferia and Proctacanthus genera. Robber flies are predators and can help control pest insects.

Bee Flies

Bee flies, from the family Bombyliidae, resemble bees and are characterized by:

• Fuzzy appearance
• Bee-like colors
• Feeding on nectar

Examples include Bombylius and Villa genera. Bee flies may help with pollination but some species are parasites on other insects.

Flower Flies

Flower flies, also known as syrphid flies, mimic bees and wasps and have:

• Bright colors
• Stripes on their abdomen
• Buzzing flight pattern

Examples are Eristalis and Syrphus genera. Flower flies are beneficial as they pollinate plants and prey on pest insects like aphids.

Here’s a summary of their characteristics:

• Crane flies: Long legs, slender, non-predatory
• Robber flies: Stout, predatory, pest control
• Bee flies: Fuzzy, pollinators, some species are parasites
• Flower flies: Mimic bees and wasps, pollinators, aphid predators

Resources and Further Reading

Lists and Guidebooks

For identifying and learning about long-legged flies, there are some helpful resources available to get started. One example is the Texas A&M University guide, offering a brief description, photos, and useful information on the fly’s metallic-colored body and long legs. Additionally, guides like Missouri Department of Conservation’s longlegged flies webpage provide insights into their physical characteristics, habitats, and general behavior.

Scientific Research

Long-legged flies, also known as Diptera: Dolichopodidae, are an extensive family of flies with over 7,000 species worldwide. Researchers from different universities and institutions conduct studies to understand their biology, ecology, and role in the ecosystem. For instance, you can explore academic articles and scientific studies on websites like ResearchGate, where you can find research papers and articles presented by experts in the field.

Extension Services

Various extension services provide valuable information on long-legged flies, their role as predatory flies, and benefits to gardens. One such example is the Washington State University Hortsense website, which highlights their benefits in controlling small, soft-bodied insects like aphids, thrips, and mites. Utilizing resources like these, as well as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, can offer further insight into the broader impact and usefulness of these insects in controlling garden pests.

Long Legged Fly	Flesh Fly