Maritime Long-legged Fly vs Face Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Maritime Long-legged Fly Face Fly
Scientific Name Aphrosylus praedator Musca autumnalis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Dolichopodidae Muscidae
Size 3-5 mm 7-8 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Farmland
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions North America, Pacific Coast Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Maritime Long-legged Fly

A specialized marine intertidal fly that hunts on wave-splashed rocks and barnacles. It has a metallic greenish body and uniquely adapted legs for gripping wet rocky surfaces.

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Did You Know?

It can remain submerged by waves for short periods, surviving in an air bubble trapped by its body hairs.

Face Fly

A non-biting muscid fly that feeds on secretions around the eyes and nose of cattle. It is a mechanical vector of the cattle pinkeye pathogen Moraxella bovis.

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Did You Know?

It enters homes in large numbers each autumn to overwinter, hence the name autumnalis.