March fly. Bibio femoratus

Description

Bibio femoratus is commonly known as the March fly. Bibio femoratus is one of at least 90 types of March flies, which occur in the United States and Canada. In the southeastern United States, especially around the Gulf Coast, Bibio femoratus is known as the lovebug. Bibio femoratus is a fly (Diptera) in the family Bibionidae. There are approximately 650-700 species known worldwide, with at least 90 of them in the genus Bibio. Bibio femoratus was described by the German entomologist Christian Rudolph Wilhelm Wiedemann in 1820. Bibio femoratus is medium-sized and usually black, though the thorax and legs can be orange or red. The antennae are relatively short and thick, have 10 segments and are located low on the head. The wings usually have a dark spot on the leading edge about two thirds of the way out away from the body. The adults, which are usually abundant in early Spring, are known to form copulatory swarms, hence the term lovebug. Once fertilized, the females lay their eggs randomly on soil surfaces. The larvae develop during Fall and Winter and feed on decaying organic matter. Bibio femoratus is a slow and clumsy flier and is usually found a couple feet off the ground. They can be observed tumbling around and flailing their legs in an effort to right themselves. After synchronous emergence, Bibio femoratus forms large swarms of mating pairs. The mating pairs are joined at the abdomen and stay that way for a while. They seem oblivious and unaware of humans as a threat, and will not make any efforts to avoid sudden movements or threatening gestures. Bibio, March flies or St. Mark's flies, is a genus of flies (Diptera). Bibio larvae live in grassy areas and are herbivores and scavengers feeding on dead vegetation or living plant roots. Some species are found in compost. In some areas, Bibio flies are regular flower visitors and they are suggested to be pollinators of several plant species, such as hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella).