Empis tessellata (Fabricius, 1794) Commonly known as Dance Fly
Family: Empididae.
Length: 9 to 12mm
Adults: April to August
The largest Empis species, commonly found over most of the UK.
This species is widespread over most of Europe, from the Mediterranean to the Scandinavia countries, as far East to the Middle East countries and into Central Asia, as far as, Japan.
Habitat: Woodland edges, hedgerows, gardens, prefers mostly well vegetated moist areas, where Hogweed and umbellifer plants are found flowering.
Feeding on nectar, the male is commonly seen as the predator, mainly hunting Diptera and various small insects. By using the long-pointed proboscis to pierce the bodies of its captured prey. The male Empis tessellata, will present the female a captured insect, as a “gift”, before he tempts to mate with her. Females will not mate unless presented with a “gift” from the male Empis tessellata. While the female is devouring her “gift,” the male will proceed to mate with her.
The larvae are predatory to other small insects, they live in leaf litter and underground, till the following spring.