Description

• Dolichopodidae is a large family of small to medium-sized flies commonly known as long-legged flies. Species are typically slender, with long legs, large compound eyes, and often striking metallic green, blue, bronze, or gold coloration. Many species have specialised leg, wing, or abdominal structures, particularly in males, which are used in courtship and species recognition.

Range

• Dolichopodidae occur worldwide and are particularly diverse in tropical and subtropical regions. The family is represented throughout Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, and long-legged flies can be encountered in the Zihua area.

Habitat

• Found in a wide variety of moist or humid habitats, including tropical forests, forest edges, streamsides, wetlands, mangroves, grasslands, gardens, and other areas with abundant vegetation. Adults frequently occur on leaves, stems, rocks, and other surfaces near water or in humid environments.

Diet

• Adults are primarily predators of small insects and other arthropods, including tiny flies, aphids, mites, springtails, and other soft-bodied organisms. Some species also consume honeydew, nectar, and other plant-associated liquids. Larvae generally live in soil, leaf litter, decaying vegetation, or other moist substrates and feed on small organisms and organic material.