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Micropezidae

Pronunciation:  [My·crow·PEESE·i⋅dae]

Common Name:   Stilt-legged Flies

Description:  Most micropezids are slender, long-legged flies that bear a passing resemblance to ants.   Common species have distinctive white tarsi on the front legs.   They hold these legs out in front of the body and wave them around — a behavior that is reminiscent of some wasps.   Adults are usually found in moist, shaded habitats.   Larvae are saprophagous.

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Spot ID Key Characters:

  1. Slender body with long legs
  2. White front tarsi
  3. The first posterior cell of the wing narrows toward the wing margin
  4. The anal cell is long and pointed

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Order:  Diptera