Numerous predators have been described attacking all the life stages of black flies and midges.
Along foothill streams in Southern California large predators, such as the damsel fly Hetaerina americana (right), are frequently seen, particularly in the late Spring and Summer. These predators include a wide diversity of insects such as dragon flies, beetles, hemipterans, and neuropterans, as well as other invertebrate predators such as hydra and planaria. The Predators section of this site focuses on the biology of a little studied group of predacious flies, the aquatic subfamilies of the Dipteran family Empididae (Dance Flies). Two subfamilies, the Hemerodromiinae and the Clinocerinae, have larvae with prolegs that are completely aquatic. Though rarely documented, these families appear to be important predators of black flies and midges.
Empididae
These are small to medium, bristly Brachycerid flies with a hair-like empodium. The family is distinguished from related families by the style or arista of the antennae being almost always terminal and specific wing vein characteristics.
Hemerodromiinae
Members of this subfamily are documented predators of black flies and midges.
The anal lobes of the wings are not developed in this group. Raptorial forelegs near the head and distant from the other legs strongly suggests predatory behavior. The stout, downward projecting proboscis is used to suck tissue from other small flies.
Clinocerinae are also documented predators of black flies and midges. The anal lobes of the wing are not well developed as above, but this subfamily does not have raptorial forelegs. The subfamily is distinguished from other groups by "cells" in the wings, particularly the cup that is less than a quarter of the wing length.
Adults: Adults of three species found in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Numerous predators have been described attacking all the life stages of black flies and midges.
Along foothill streams in Southern California large predators, such as the damsel fly Hetaerina americana (right), are frequently seen, particularly in the late Spring and Summer. These predators include a wide diversity of insects such as dragon flies, beetles, hemipterans, and neuropterans, as well as other invertebrate predators such as hydra and planaria. The Predators section of this site focuses on the biology of a little studied group of predacious flies, the aquatic subfamilies of the Dipteran family Empididae (Dance Flies). Two subfamilies, the Hemerodromiinae and the Clinocerinae, have larvae with prolegs that are completely aquatic. Though rarely documented, these families appear to be important predators of black flies and midges.
