Mountain Dance Fly vs Spring Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Dance Fly | Spring Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Empis pennipes | Photinus ardens |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Empididae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 5-8 mm body length | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Alps, Scandinavia | 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.
Spring Firefly
A small early-season firefly of the eastern United States with a distinctive fast double-pulse flash pattern. It has a dark body with a pinkish-red pronotum and is among the first fireflies to appear each year.
Did You Know?
This species often begins flashing earlier in the evening than most other North American fireflies.