St. Mark's fly

Bibio marci
March flies (Bibionidae)

♂

St. Mark's flyon RikenMon's Nature-Guide

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A black fly with long rear legs and mostly seen when flying.  There are spurs on the front legs. The eyes of the ♀ are much smaller and further apart than the ♂.

Active early in the season, calmly flying.  The ♂ often on a blade of grass waiting for passing ♀.  It feeds on nectar, but the larvae feed on rotting plants.

⇔ l. 8-10 mm

syn. TIPULA MARCI, March fly

St. Mark’s fly is used for more black flies though. The name is a reference to when they typically appear, i.e., on St Marcus day which is on 25 April.

LA:
≈ It is very similar to the BIBIO LANIGERUS which is smaller, 5-8 mm and with black-orange rear legs. See photo LA.

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