Dance Fly vs Columbia Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dance Fly | Columbia Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Empis tessellata | Cicindela columbica |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Empididae | Cicindelidae |
| Size | 10-12 mm | 1-1.5 cm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
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.
Did You Know?
Some males cheat by wrapping inedible items or empty silk balloons to trick females into mating.
Columbia Tiger Beetle
A rare tiger beetle known from sandy riverbanks in the Pacific Northwest. It is an agile predator that chases down small insects on sand.
Did You Know?
Tiger beetles are among the fastest insects relative to body size, running so fast they temporarily go blind.