''Rhagio tringarius'', common name marsh snipefly, is a species of
fly
Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced ...
from the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
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 ...
.
Description
''Rhagio tringarius'' can reach a length of . The abdomen and the long slender legs are yellow-orange. The patterning on the abdomen is quite variable, but usually it shows black well spaced dorsal triangles. Also the last abdomen tergites are black. Wings are clear, as this fly lacks the dark wing stigma common in the genus ''Rhagio''.
Ecology
The larvae of this snipefly dwell in the ground, on litter and detritus. They are predatory hunters, feeding on small beetles and earthworms. Adults occur from May to September, usually resting on leaves.
Distribution and habitat
This species is present in most of European countries.
Fauna Europaea
/ref> It can be found in wet meadow
A wet meadow is a type of wetland with soils that are Solubility, saturated for part or all of the growing season which prevents the growth of trees and brush. Debate exists whether a wet meadow is a type of marsh or a completely separate type of ...
s, hedgerows woods and areas with a rich vegetation.
References
External links
BugGuide
Rhagionidae
Brachyceran flies of Europe
Flies described in 1758
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Rhagionoidea-stub