Dancing Flies

 

 

I was relaxing on the front porch, awaiting another sweet spring sunset. I noticed small flying insects yo yoing together up and down in a beam of sunlight. Intrigued, I googled “flying insects dancing up and down in sunlight”: "Dancing Flies".

It seems the males gather in competition to attract females. They tend to be attracted to some subtle landmark, such as a branch or object on the ground. Little more is known about these dancers, as they have no known economic impact. However, most of the numerous species seem described as predatory, both in larval and aerial forms. Charmingly, males are said to offer females gifts of cocoons containing a tasty insect. Less so as occasionally they offer an empty cocoon. Aphids and other tiny insects are thought to be prey. I wonder, could they be useful as tiger mosquito control?

They certainly seem eager, or even frantic, as some insect’s life spans are measured in hours. Interestingly, many of the species are associated with aquatic features, of which we only have my diminutive pond in back, and Shenk’s branch way below.

Certainly, the bobbing, swirling patterns they make are endlessly mesmerizing.