''Atherix marginata'', the black-legged water-snipefly, is a species of ibis flies belonging to the family

Athericidae Athericidae is a small family of flies known as water snipe flies or ibis flies. They used to be placed in the family Rhagionidae, but were removed by Stuckenberg in 1973. They are now known to be more closely related to Tabanidae. Species of At ...

, a small family very similar to the

Rhagionidae Rhagionidae or snipe flies are a small family of flies. They get their name from the similarity of their often prominent proboscis that looks like the beak of a snipe. Description Rhagionidae are medium-sized to large flies with slender bodies ...

(snipe flies).

Distribution

This species is present in most of Europe (

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and

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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.Steven Fal
Ibisia marginata
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References

External links