Stilt Legged Fly: All You Need to Know Simplified

The Stilt-Legged Fly is a fascinating and unique insect that you might come across in nature. Belonging to the family Micropezidae, these true flies are harmless and are often mistaken for ichneumon wasps or ants due to their slender bodies and long, thin legs. Interestingly, their front pair of legs are much shorter than the middle and back pairs link to the source.

While they may not be as well-known as other insects, Stilt-Legged Flies are an intriguing species with around 30 varieties in North America and over 600 species worldwide. You’ll find that they are more diverse in the tropics, where their larvae are known to dwell in dung link to the source.

As you explore the world of Stilt-Legged Flies, you’ll come to appreciate their unique characteristics and behaviors. It’s fascinating to observe these insects in action, whether they’re walking around with their front pair of legs held up or feeding on other insects. So, the next time you spot one of these intriguing creatures, take a moment to appreciate their role in nature and the complex ecosystem they are part of.

Understanding Stilt-Legged Flies

Stilt-legged flies belong to the family Micropezidae and are part of the insect class Insecta. These creatures are members of the Animalia kingdom and are classified under the phylum Arthropoda. In terms of order, they fall under Diptera, which is where you’ll find most other fly species.

When you first see a stilt-legged fly, you will notice its slender body with long legs. These legs give it a unique appearance and help distinguish it from other insects. The white-tipped forelegs are a common feature among many species within this family. In some cases, these flies are also known as ant-mimics due to their resemblance to ants.

The Micropezidae family is part of the Acalyptratae subgroup, which falls under the superfamily Nerioidea. Within the family, there are two recognized subfamilies – Eurybatinae and Taeniapterinae. Each of these subfamilies consists of several genera containing different stilt fly species.

A few interesting features that make stilt-legged flies unique include:

• Slender bodies with long, thin legs
• White-tipped forelegs for many species
• Ant-mimicry to help blend in with their environment

As you encounter these fascinating insects, remember to appreciate their unique appearance and the role they play in the diverse world of Diptera. Keep in mind that while they may look odd with their long legs and slender bodies, they are an integral part of our ecosystem. So, the next time you spot a stilt-legged fly, take a moment to observe its intriguing features and habits before it flies away.

Physical Characteristics

Size and Shape

Stilt-legged flies are quite small and slender, usually measuring around 2-7mm in length. Their slender body is divided into three main parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. Some examples of stilt-legged flies include:

• Bactericera cockerelli
• Cixius horvathi

Color and Pattern

These flies exhibit a combination of white and other colors, often with striking patterns on their bodies. The most common color combination is a white body with red eyes, but variations can be found. Some other possible colors and patterns include:

• Black and white stripes
• Red and white spots

Legs and Antennae

Stilt-legged flies are known for their long, slender legs, particularly their front legs. These legs are used for walking and perching on various surfaces. In addition, they have a pair of antennae protruding from their heads. These antennae serve as sensory organs and are crucial for navigation and communication.

Long legs pros and cons:

Pros:

• Easy navigation on various surfaces
• Enhanced balance and stability

Cons:

• Increased vulnerability to predators

Wings

These flies typically have two wings, which are transparent and used for flying. Their wings enable them to be agile fliers and escape from predators. Stilt-legged flies are usually found near water bodies, as they are attracted to moist habitats.

Overall, stilt-legged flies are fascinating and versatile insects with distinct physical characteristics, making them easy to identify in their natural habitats.

Habitat and Distribution

North America

Stilt-legged flies, found in the family Micropezidae, consist of only about 30 species in North America. These flies prefer habitats with diverse plant life where they can find nectar and other insects to prey on. You may encounter them in environments such as wetlands, forests, and meadows.

For instance, you may stumble upon these flies throughout southern Canada, the United States, and down to Mexico. However, their presence is typically not as dense in mountainous regions like the Rockies.

Global Expansion

Worldwide, there are about 600 species of stilt-legged flies, with the majority of their diversity found in the tropics. Their larvae often inhabit damp, warm environments, and they are known as dung-dwellers.

Due to the higher diversity in the tropics, stilt-legged flies are more adaptable to varying environmental conditions. They thrive in various habitats ranging from damp forests, wetlands, and even agricultural areas.

In conclusion, stilt-legged flies are widespread throughout the globe and can be found in abundance across North America and the tropics. The wetlands and vast environmental diversity make these areas the perfect habitats for these unique insects to flourish.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Stilt-legged flies, belonging to the family Micropezidae, have a diverse diet. The adult flies feed on a variety of organic materials, such as rotting fruits and plant roots. The larvae, on the other hand, are known to consume decomposing organic matter like animal excrement and plant debris.

Dung and Decomposition

In the life cycle of stilt-legged flies, their larvae play a significant role in breaking down dung and decomposing matter. Some species, like the mimegralla, are particularly attracted to dung and decaying organic matter. They feed on the nutrients within these substances, helping recycle them back into the ecosystem.

• Mimegralla larvae: Feeds on dung and decomposing organic matter
• Other species: Consumes excrement, plant debris, and decaying organisms

Saprophagous Eating

A notable characteristic of stilt-legged flies is their saprophagous eating behavior. This means they consume decaying or dead organic matter, whether it’s plant or animal-based. In some cases, they have even been observed feeding on cheese.

This feeding habit benefits the environment by breaking down waste materials and returning nutrients to the soil, which supports plant growth and overall ecosystem health.

Examples of saprophagous eating:

• Feeding on rotting fruits
• Consuming animal excrement
• Eating decaying plant roots

Remember that understanding the feeding habits of stilt-legged flies can help you appreciate their role in the ecosystem and promote their conservation.

Behavior and Defense Mechanisms

Everyday Habits

Stilt-legged flies exhibit fascinating everyday habits. As predaceous insects, they actively hunt for smaller insects to feed on. Grooming behavior is also an essential part of their daily routine, ensuring that they maintain their cleanliness.

Mimicry and Deception

These intriguing flies are known for their ability to mimic and deceive. For example, they often resemble wasps, such as the ichneumon wasp, to deter predators. Furthermore, some stilt-legged flies are ant-mimics, imitating the appearance of ants to avoid being recognized as prey.

Unique Flying Patterns

Another aspect of their behavior is their unique flying patterns. Stilt-legged flies in the Dolichopodidae family, also known as long-legged flies, showcase agile and swift flight capabilities. They can perform impressive aerial acrobatics, which are not only useful for capturing prey but also for evading predators.

• Habits: Predaceous, grooming behavior
• Mimicry: Resembles wasps, ichneumon wasps, or ants
• Unique flying patterns: Agile, swift, aerial acrobatics

By better understanding the behavior and defense mechanisms of stilt-legged flies, you can appreciate the intricacies of these small insects and their amazing adaptations for survival in the wild.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Stilt-legged flies belong to the family Micropezidae, with about 30 species in North America and around 600 species worldwide source. In this section, we will briefly discuss their reproduction and lifespan.

During the reproduction process, stilt-legged flies lay eggs in suitable environments. The larvae that hatch from these eggs often reside in materials such as dung, particularly in tropical regions source. They undergo multiple larval skin sheddings, known as molts, as they grow and develop into adulthood.

Some characteristics of stilt-legged fly larvae include:

• Resemblance to maggots
• Lack of legs
• Presence of small, dark mouth hooks

Once the stilt-legged fly larvae have completed their development, they transform into pupae. This is the final stage before emerging as adult flies, ready to continue the reproductive cycle.

It is important to note that, even though we have provided some general information, specific details about reproduction and lifespan may vary across species. As you explore the fascinating world of stilt-legged flies, remember that understanding these creatures better may require further research or consultation with experts.

Conservation and Threats

Stilt-legged flies, belonging to the family Micropezidae, are found in various regions around the globe, including North America, where they consist of 30 species (source). These slender-bodied insects usually resemble ants or wasps, but they’re quite harmless (source).

Conservation of stilt-legged flies might not seem like a top priority since they’re not as eye-catching as butterflies or bees. Still, they play crucial roles in ecosystems by serving as pollinators or preying on smaller insects. However, not much information is available concerning their conservation status or potential threats they may face (source).

Please keep in mind the importance of preserving biodiversity, even for less-popular species such as stilt-legged flies. By being mindful of your actions and the potential impacts on the environment, you can contribute to the conservation and protection of these fascinating insects.

Identifying Stilt Legged Flies

Visual Identification

Stilt Legged Flies, belonging to the family Micropezidae, are interesting insects that are often confused with other types of flies or wasps. Their scientific name is derived from their unique appearance, characterized by their long, slender legs. In this section, you’ll learn the key features to help you identify these intriguing insects.

The most notable characteristic of Stilt Legged Flies is their long legs, particularly the middle and back pairs. These legs are exceptionally long and thin, while their front pair of legs is much shorter. The front legs are often held up while they walk, giving them a distinctive appearance resembling a wasp or ant.

The body of these flies is slender, similar to that of an Ichneumon wasp, making it easy to confuse the two. However, you can distinguish them by their relatively short antennae, which are characteristic of true flies. Stilt Legged Flies exhibit various colors and patterns consistent with their resemblance to wasps such as yellow and black stripes or red and black coloration.

To better distinguish Stilt Legged Flies from other insects, consult a reliable field guide like Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, which will provide detailed information on the various genera of micropezids and their identification.

Here are some features to look for when identifying Stilt Legged Flies:

• Exceptionally long middle and back legs
• Short front legs, often held up while walking
• Short antennae
• Slender body resembling a wasp or ant
• Various colors and patterns to mimic wasps or ants

It is important to become familiar with the Stilt Legged Flies and their unique characteristics to accurately identify them and avoid any confusion with other insects. With practice, you will be able to easily spot these fascinating flies and appreciate their intriguing appearance and behavior.

Deep Dive into Species: Rainieria Antennaepes

Physical Features

Rainieria Antennaepes is a unique species of stilt legged fly, belonging to the order Diptera. The most striking physical features of this species are their elongated front legs. Let’s explore some key characteristics:

• Distinguished by their long front legs
• Part of the Rainieria genus

Understanding these features makes it easier to identify these insects in their natural habitat.

Taeniaptera Trivittata Insights

A close relative to Rainieria Antennaepes is the Taeniaptera Trivittata, another fascinating member of the order Diptera. Here are a few differences between the two species:

Hymenoptera Conspiracy

You might be wondering if Rainieria Antennaepes is related to Hymenoptera, an order of insects that includes bees, wasps, and ants. While there might be superficial similarities, these two insect orders are distinct, and Rainieria Antennaepes belongs solely to the order Diptera.

Small-Footed Fly Facts

Lastly, let’s look at some intriguing facts about the Small-Footed Fly, another member of the order Diptera:

• Known for their small feet
• Distinct from Rainieria Antennaepes in terms of leg size and structure

As you can see, there is a diverse range of species within the order Diptera, each with their own unique characteristics.

Insect Enthusiast Resources

Books and Guides

If you’re interested in learning more about the Stilt Legged Fly and other insects, there are numerous books available. One popular option is the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on various insect species, making it a valuable resource.

Website References

Some helpful websites include BugGuide.net and AmericanInsects.net. Both sites offer a wealth of information, including identification guides, distribution maps, and photos.

Videos and Multimedia

To watch insects in action, check out videos by the The Early Birder on YouTube. They showcase various insects, their behaviors, and habitats, providing valuable insight for enthusiasts.

Bug Fans and Communities

Being part of a community can make your insect enthusiasm even more enjoyable. You can join online forums like BugFans, where you can discuss various topics related to insects, share your findings, and seek advice from more experienced members.

Fun Facts from Wikipedia

Did you know that Wikipedia offers a plethora of fun facts about insects? Here are some quick facts about the Stilt Legged Fly:

• Stilt Legged Flies belong to the family Micropezidae.
• They are known for their long, slender legs.
• Some species mimic wasps and ants as a defense mechanism.

By exploring these resources, you’ll be well on your way to enhancing your understanding of the fascinating world of insects, including the Stilt Legged Fly. Happy bug hunting!

Reader Emails

Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.

Letter 1 – Stilt Legged Fly

Subject: Please help!
Location: Savannah Ga
April 17, 2016 3:42 pm
Please help me identify this bug I have seen them by the door. I’m afraid they are wasps!
Signature: Jenny

Dear Jenny,
Fear Not.  This is a harmless Stilt Legged Fly, Grallipeza nebulosa, not a Wasp.  The species is pictured on BugGuide, and members of the family Micropezidae, according to BugGuide, are:  “Known for their walking around and lifting their prominently marked front legs imitating ichneumon wasps.”

My fear has subsided.  Glad I found this site. Thank you so much!
Jennifer

Letter 2 – Stilt Legged Fly from Australia

Subject: What bugs are these?
Location: Cairns, QLD, Australia
December 3, 2016 7:11 am
Found these in my yard.
Signature: CE

Dear CE,
This is a Stilt Legged Fly in the family Micropezidae, and we are quite confident we have identified it as the Black Stilt Legged Fly, Mimegralla australica, thanks to the Brisbane Insect website where it states:  “Flies in this family have very long legs, although the front pair is usually shorter. Their body is slender with patterned wings. They usually mimic either wasp or ant. This Black Stilt-legged Fly is black in colour with two write strips on each wings. All legs are black except the smaller front pair with write tips.”  This species is also pictured on the Atlas of Living Australia.  We are postdating this submission to go live to our site at the end of the month when we are away from the office for the holidays.

Letter 3 – Harmless Stilt Legged Fly killed and accused of biting in US Virgin Islands

Flying At or Wasp?
January 19, 2010
Hi,
I live in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. The other night I woke up and found several large bites on my chest. I was thinking bedbugs but my girlfriend has no bites. Its happened to me several times. The difference is I sleep on top of the covers and she usually is bundled up under. So Im thinking that might rule out bedbugs. Then this morning we found this bug in the bedroom. What is it and can it be the culprit thats biting me? The bites first feel like acid on my skin and stings real bad then they becomes very itchy. Thanks for your help.
Eric Stone
Crown Mountain, St. Thomas, USVI

Hi Eric,
It is not our mission to demonize our readership, but rather to educate, which is why we are tagging your letter as Unnecessary Carnage.  This is a Harmless Stilt Legged Fly in the family Micropezidae.  It did not bite you, so that culprit is still awaiting identification.  Stilt Legged Flies are noteworthy for the manner in which they wave about their prominently marked front legs as though they were trying to signal something.

Thanks Daniel,
I appreciate the info.  I will let my friends know on Facebook what the fly is and tell them to be kind to it. I will also add a link to my website to yours and let people know that you guys have the answers. Mahalo!
Thanks, Eric Stone

Letter 4 – Stilt Legged Flies Mating

BUG LOVE Stilt-legged Flies (Resend #3)
The first time i sent this i wasn’t sure what they were, but have figured out what they are now! Location: my yard in Houston, Texas. These two were really being x-rated, i felt a bit uncomfortable taking their pic at times! I had never seen bugs mating and moving so much, very human like. Most bugs i have witnessed just sit there connected. I have many more bug pics i would love to share with you. I love your site!
Tracy Palmer

Hi Tracy,
We are happy you were persistant and sent these images three times as it would have been a misfortune to not include them on our site. We believe the species is Taeniaptera trivittata as evidenced by BugGuide.

Letter 5 – Stilt Legged Fly

white "mittened" fly (?)
Hi Lisa Anne and Daniel,
This entire summer, I’ve been slightly obsessed w/ your web site. Every day I look with awe and envy at the amazing insects people send photos of. In my tiny Brooklyn, NY garden – my little urban oasis – I wondered what potential existed. So, I began to LOOK. Oh yes… even here in NYC there live a pretty interesting array of bugs! Once I really started paying attention, I discovered preying mantids, & katydids, cool caterpillars & spiders, stink bugs, bees of many types, tons of cicadas this year… even cicada killers. I’ve identified my "finds" on your incredible site, but this one has me stumped. I’ve narrowed it down to a fly of some kind (I think). I’ve searched the web but haven’t found one with those little white "mittens" on its front legs….can you help? I thank you and all the folks who contribute bug pics for MANY hours of enjoyment and education and most importantly…inspiration to see what lurks beyond the obvious.
Patrice

Hi again Patrice,
We received three back to back emails from you and all have different dates. This one was dated September 4, 2006. Have they been lost in cyperspace for over a year? We believe this is a Long Legged Fly in the family Dolichopodidae. Though BugGuide doesn’t have any that have the exact markings of your specimen, several are similar.

Correction: (12/03/2007)
Hi, Daniel: The “long-legged fly, perhaps…” is actually a stilt-legged fly in the family Micropezidae. They are good mimics of wasps or ants (depending on the species), even waving their front legs to look like long antennae!
Eric

Letter 6 – Stilt Legged Fly

help
Please help I have been trying to figure out what these are but so far have been unsuccessful. The green one looks like some sort of shiledback katydid but not sure. I took that one in the summer 2007 in Florida. The other one has been prominent in my back yard (also in Florida) for almost a year, but still not sure what it is. Thanks a lot for your help
Katelyn

Hi Katelyn,
The insect we are not posting appears to be an immature katydid. Your other “ant thing” is actually a Stilt Legged Fly in the family Taeniapterinae and we located a lovely image on BugGuide.

Letter 7 – Stilt Legged Fly

is This an Ant?
June 4, 2010
I found this ant outside on my wall then he flew to a chair, I’m located in Central Florida, Polk County USA..
I’m not sure if its an ant or other type fo bug any help would be appreciated… thanks 🙂
Thanks Dee
Florida Usa

Hi Dee,
This is a Stilt Legged Fly in the family Micropezidae.  According to BugGuide, they are “Odd little flies, known for their displaying (?) behavior of walking around and lifting their prominently marked front legs. Abdomen attached to thorax by “wasp-waist”. Likely ant or wasp mimics. The posture of the forelegs may imitate ant and/or wasp antennae and provide them with some protection from predators (speculation–Cotinis).”  We will leave species or genus identification for an expert in the field.

Letter 8 – Stilt Legged Fly

6 legged flying insect
Location: Florida
December 21, 2011 11:47 am
This bug has been hanging out in my office for months now. Instead of killing him we have actually made friends haha. I have literally petted this guy. He will land of me and just sit there for a while also. It has 6 legs. The front 2 he actually uses as antennas to feel around and he constantly ”washes his hands” rubbing the front 2 legs together. He can fly but likes to walk around mostly. Front 2 legs have white on the bottoms but the others are solid brown. His mouth kinda looks like an ant’s. He has never bitten me.
Signature: I don’t care

Dear I don’t care,
Though your photo is extremely blurry, we are confident that we have identified your insect on BugGuide as a Stilt Legged Fly, Grallipeza nebulosa, based on its coloration, your location and the behavior you describe.

Yep, that is the bug.  Thank you.  It was driving me crazy not knowing.

Letter 9 – Stilt Legged Fly

Subject: bug found on house
Location: Jacksonville, North Carolina
August 22, 2013 3:07 pm
I found this ant looking bug on my house the other day, and have no clue what type it is. I’ve tried looking on various websites and haven’t found anything. It looked like a large ant with what I’m pretty sure are wings.
Signature: S. Andersen

Dear S. Anderson,
This appears to be a Stilt Legged Fly in the family Micropezidae.  According to BugGuide:  “Odd little flies, known for their displaying (?) behavior of walking around and lifting their prominently marked front legs. Abdomen attached to thorax by “wasp-waist”. Likely ant or wasp mimics. The posture of the forelegs may imitate ant and/or wasp antennae and provide them with some protection from predators.” 

Letter 10 – Stilt Legged Fly

Subject: What is this bug?
Location: Palm Desert, CA 92260
October 15, 2015 10:45 pm
Is this bug harmful to my plants? Is it beneficial ( like ladybugs)? Thank you.
Signature: Erik

Dear Erik
We are confident that we have correctly identified your Stilt Legged Fly, Micropeza stigmatica, based on images posted to BugGuide.  There is no food preference listed on the information page for the species, but we suspect this is a predator.  If we go to the family page on BugGuide, it states:  “Adults of some species are attracted to rotting fruit or dung; in other species adults are predaceous; larvae saprophagous” meaning the larvae feed on decaying organic matter.

Letter 11 – Stilt Legged Fly

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.”

Letter 12 – Stilt Legged Fly

Subject:  Fly?
Geographic location of the bug:  Atlanta, Georgia
Date: 01/03/2020
Time: 02:55 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Is this a fly of some sort?
How you want your letter signed:  Bruce Carlson

Dear Bruce,
This is a gorgeous image of a Stilt Legged Fly in the family Micropezidae.  We believe we have correctly identified it as Rainieria antennaepes thanks to this BugGuide image.  Of the family, BugGuide notes “Adults of some species are attracted to rotting fruit or dung; in other species adults are predaceous; larvae saprophagous.”  Your image has documented feeding, though we are not certain what has comprised the meal, though based on the BugGuide food information, either “rotting fruit or dung” appears to be a possibility.

Thanks Dan for the identification.  I should have mentioned in my message that my wife took the photograph, but she’s happy to see it posted on your website!
Bruce Carlson

Letter 13 – Stilt Legged Fly from the Philippines

weird fly from the philippines (1)
December 27, 2009
Dear Bugman,
What is this bug?
It is very common in gardens. Its distinctive characteristic is that it constantly waves its two front legs around (white-tipped) as if engaging in semaphore.
It must be some kind of fly, but which one?
Thanks for the attention!
Kulisap
Luzon, Philippines

Dear Kulisap,
We tried doing a web search of “fly waves front legs” and came up with a cirrusimage page on the Stilt Legged Fly family Micropezidae that states:  “I would have called this the ‘semaphore’ fly, in that it constantly waves its front legs around as if signaling someone or something. Popular science has it they are mimicking ant or wasp antennae, but I’m not sold on that theory. Wasp antennae are jointed and “droop”  and certainly don’t wave about like this fly does.”  According to BugGuide:  “Odd little flies, known for their displaying (?) behavior of walking around and lifting their prominently marked front legs. Abdomen attached to thorax by “wasp-waist”. Likely ant or wasp mimics. The posture of the forelegs may imitate ant and/or wasp antennae and provide them with some protection from predators.”  It is interesting that both you and the person who wrote the cirrusimage posting likened the behavior of the fly to semaphore.