Empis borealis

Diptera Classification

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Description & taxonomy

Empis borealis Linneaus
Mon, 07/14/2008 - 20:40 — iwinkler

Diagnosis:

Taxonomic data
Synonyms:

Other Information:

Description: Adult
Head:

Thorax:

Wing:

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Male abdomen:

Female abdomen:

Description: Immature stages
Egg:

Larva:

Puparium:

General
Distribution:
This species is widely distributed from Great Britain to western Siberia and the Alps to northern Scandinavia, but is more common in the northern part of its range.

Biology:
Empis borealis emerges in the early spring, and is often found on flowers feeding on nectar. This species shows sex-role reversal; the females, with their distinctive darkened wings, form swarms to attract males. Males capture a variety of insect prey before entering the swarm and choosing a mate. The mating behavior has been the object of several detailed studies (e.g Svensson and Petersson 1987-2000).

Discussion:
This is reportedly the most common species of empidid in the colder areas of Scandinavia, and one of the first to emerge after winter (Chvála 1994). It is placed in the subgenus Platyptera, which contains one other European species, as well as several North American Species.

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Bibliography

Year	Author	Title
2000	Svensson, B.G.; Petersson, E.	Swarm site fidelity in the sex role-reversed dance fly Empis borealis
1994	Chvála, M.	The Empidoidea (Diptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. III. Genus Empis
1992	Svensson, B.G.; Petersson, E.	Why insects swarm: testing the models for lek mating systems on swarming Empis borealis females
1990	Svensson, B.G; Petersson, E.; Frisk, M.	Nuptial gift size prolongs copulation duration in the dance fly Empis borealis.
1989	Svensson, B.G., Petersson, E.; Forsgren, E.	Why do males of the dance fly Empis borealis refuse to mate? The importance of female age and size.
1988	Svensson, B.G.; Petersson, E.	Non-random mating in the dance fly Empis borealis: the importance of male choice
1987	Svensson, B.G.; Petersson, E.	Sex-role reversed courtship behaviour, sexual dimorphism and nuptial gift in the dance fly, Empis borealis (L.)