COMMENTS:

  • The name Ôdance fliesÕ originated because of the courtship/mating pattern observed among this group. The dance includes a woven silk ball created by the male and his offering to her. The mating is accepted if she keeps the ball or rejected if it is dropped. The idea behind the silk ball is to deter the female from eating the male. (Oldroyd, 1965) Another interesting point about the empididae is that two genera are found to prey on the pupa of simuliidae. In a form of parasitism, they eat the pupa and then pupate with in the simulid cocoon or behind the crevices. (Oldroyd, 1965) The dance fly, Empis borealis, also engages in courtship feeding. Females are given prey items to eat while copulating, increasing fertilization success of the male's sperm. Females of this species rely on these "nuptial gifts" as their only protein source, as they do not hunt prey themselves. These meals increase female as well as offspring fitness. Sex-role reversal occurs as females assemble in swarms and males choose their mates. http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/courses/en507/student_papers_1995/cito.html