Ash Bark Weevil vs Dance Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ash Bark Weevil Dance Fly
Scientific Name Magdalis armigera Empis tessellata
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Curculionidae Empididae
Size 3-5 mm 10-12 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Hedgerows
Diet Gall Makers Predators
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ash Bark Weevil

A small black weevil that breeds under the bark of ash trees. Larvae create winding galleries in the cambium. Has become more noticed with ash dieback disease.

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Did You Know?

Often colonizes ash trees already weakened by ash dieback disease, accelerating their decline.

Dance Fly

A predatory fly in which males present silk-wrapped insect prey as nuptial gifts to females. Mating swarms form elaborate aerial dances over landmarks.

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Did You Know?

Some males cheat by wrapping inedible items or empty silk balloons to trick females into mating.