Dagger flies
Scientific name: Empididae
Dagger flies
Scientific name: Empididae
Photo By Liam O'Brien , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The Empididae might seem like just another player in the vast world of flying insects, yet they harbor a fascinating behavior that challenges common perceptions. Known as 'dance flies,' they participate in an extraordinary mating ritual where males present females with nuptial gifts wrapped in silk. This practice not only showcases their sophisticated behavior but also emphasizes a strategic survival mechanism that intertwines courtship with predation.
Species of Dagger flies
Photo By Liam O'Brien , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original