Mountain Dance Fly vs North American Alderfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Dance Fly | North American Alderfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Empis pennipes | Sialis infumata |
| Order | Diptera | Megaloptera |
| Family | Empididae | Sialidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm body length | 15-20 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Alps, Scandinavia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mountain Dance Fly
A predatory fly with feathery leg fringes used in aerial mating displays. Males offer prey gifts wrapped in silk to females during courtship.
Did You Know?
Males with the most elaborate feathered legs are preferred by females during mating swarms.
North American Alderfly
A small, dark-winged alderfly common near ponds and slow streams across eastern North America. Adults are clumsy fliers often found resting on streamside plants.
Did You Know?
Larvae spend one to two years burrowing in pond mud before emerging for a brief adult life of just days.