• Source: Atherix marginata

Atherix marginata, the black-legged water-snipefly, is a species of ibis flies belonging to the family Athericidae, a small family very similar to the Rhagionidae (snipe flies).




Distribution


This species is present in most of Europe (Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, British Islands, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands).




Description


The body is quite slender, eyes are rounded and well separated, antennae are trisegmented, costae are extended around the whole wings, and the abdomen has several dark and clear stripes. The legs are entirely black (hence the common name).




Biology


Adults can be found from May to Augusty. Adult females gather in large clumps and lay egg masses on tree branches or under bridges over flowing waters. In such a way, the first-stage larvae will fall into the water, where they start their lives. The larvae are aquatic and saprophagous. They show 6-8 abdominal segments.




Habitat


These ibis flies are usually found alongside shallow rivers and streams, especially in hilly areas., where the larvae develop as predators.




References






Further reading


Stubbs, A. and Drake, M - British Soldierflies and Their Allies: A Field Guide to the Larger British Brachycera, pp. 512 - British Entomological and Natural History Society
A. Minelli – La fauna in Italia – Touring Editore
Di Paul S. Giller, Björn Malmqvist - The biology of streams and rivers – Oxford University Press




External links



Bug Guide

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Daftar spesies Bombyliidae
• Atherix marginata
• Atherix ibis
• Atherix
• Animals named as black-legged
• List of Diptera of Ireland Superfamilies Xylophagoidea, Tabanoidea, Stratiomyoidea, Nemestrinoidea, Asiloidea
• List of soldierflies and allies of Great Britain
• Athericidae
• Symphoromyia