''Physiphora alceae'' is a species of ulidiid or picture-winged fly in the genus ''

Physiphora ''Physiphora'' is a genus of flies in the family Ulidiidae, containing over 30 species worldwide. Distribution The distribution of this genus is largely African, but a few endemic species are found in Asia as far as the Solomon Islands. Some s ...

'' of the family

Ulidiidae The Ulidiidae (formerly Otitidae) or picture-winged flies are a large and diverse cosmopolitan family of flies (Diptera), and as in related families, most species are herbivorous or detritivorous. They are often known as picture-winged flies, alo ...

Distribution

''P. alceae'' is a cosmopolitan species.

Lifecycle

Larvae of ''P. alceae'' feed on decaying plant and animal material and excrement.

Mating behavior

The males of ''P. alceae'' were reported to court with an elaborate dance. The courting male may move his fore legs up and down in front of the female. He may also shake his fore legs, turn sidewise to his partner and lift one of his wings, tap on the head or thorax of the partner and probe her with his proboscis (mouthparts).

References

Ulidiidae Insects described in 1791 Cosmopolitan arthropods {{Ulidiidae-stub