Empididae
Pronunciation: [Em·PID·i⋅dae]
Common Name: Dance Flies, Dagger Flies; Balloon Flies
Description: Empidids are small to medium sized flies with a round head, a distinct neck, a humpbacked thorax, and long tapered abdomen. The legs are slender and sometimes the front legs are raptorial, for grasping other insects. The proboscis is often long and pointed. Adults and larvae are predatory.
Spot ID Key Characters:
- Ball-shaped head with long proboscis and narrow neck
- Tapered abdomen
- Humpback thorax
- Antenna with a long terminal stylus
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Order: Diptera
