Longlegged fly (Condylostylus sipho group)

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Diptera Taxonomy

Condylostylus sipho group - BugGuide
Condylostylus - BugGuide

I found this long-legged fly on the berlandier ash sapling in the hedges to the west of the driveway. The identification of the exact species would require a better look at the leg bristles than I have managed so far. One of the indicators of the sipho group is the pale leg color, wheras other groups have black legs. The wing markings are faint on the individual shown in the photo, but they can be more pronounced and broader on other individuals of the same species. Other Condylostylus species have very similar wing marrkings.

As far as I can tell, all long-legged flies are predators of soft-bodied insects, such as aphids, fleahoppers, and mites. According to BugGuide, "Larvae develop in wet to dry soil and pupate in cocoons made up of soil particles cemented together. Adults mate after elaborate and unique behavior, involving the males displaying their legs to the female."

Click the photo to see it bigger!

Here is a member of the same group with more prominent wing markings, from April 23, 2014.