Atherix marginata
| Ibisia marginata | |
|---|---|
| |
| Ibisia cf. marginata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | I. marginata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ibisia marginata (Fabricius, 1781)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ibisia marginata is a species of 'ibis flies' belonging to the family Athericidae, a small family very similar to Rhagionidae ('Snipe Flies'). This species is present in most of Europe.
The body is quite slender, eyes are rounded and well separated, antennae 3 segmented, costae are extended around the whole wings and the abdomen has several dark and clear stripes. The legs are entirely black (hence the common name 'Black-legged water-snipefly').
Adult females aggregate in large clumps and lay egg masses on tree branches or under bridges over flowing waters. In such a way the first stage larvae will fall into the water, where they will start their life cycle. The larvae are aquatic and saprophagous.
References
- L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz - British Insects: the Families of Diptera - Delta-intkey
- Stubbs, A. and Drake, M - British Soldierflies and Their Allies: A Field Guide to the Larger British Brachycera, pp. 512 - British Entomological & Natural History Society
- A. Minelli – La fauna in Italia – Touring Editore
- Di Paul S. Giller, Björn Malmqvist - The biology of streams and rivers – Oxford University Press