Diptera

Micropezidae

Stilt-legged Flies

Lancashire, England - May 2009

Micropezidae typically have very long legs with the front pair significantly shorter than the middle and rear pairs.

Lancashire, England - May 2009


Many species of Micropezidae have white-tipped front legs that they wave infront of their heads to mimic the antennae of parasitic wasps, as can be seen in the photo below. By mimicing aggressive wasp species, it is thought that this behaviour provides the fly with some level of protection from predators.

Tambopata, Peru - December 2008

There are about 500 species of Micropezidae worldwide, with 9 species occuring in Britain.