The Empididae – Dance Flies

The Empididae form a discreet yet abundant family of small flies with an elongated body, often featuring a prominent proboscis. They are frequently observed hovering or resting on vegetation in cool and humid habitats, especially in spring. Adults show varied feeding behaviors: some are predators of small insects, others feed on nectar. Some males offer silk-wrapped prey to females before mating, a behavior known as a "nuptial gift." Larvae live in soil or leaf litter and feed on organic matter. Their inconspicuousness contrasts with their significant ecological role.