Marsh Flies - Diptera Family Sciomyzidae
These charming little flies are sometimes called "snail-killers" because their eggs are laid on, and the larvae parasitize snails, slugs, and other mollusks.
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Marsh Flies
Marsh Fly, Tetanocera sp.

Marsh Fly on recently deceased crawfish. Unidentified
Unidentified Marsh Fly

Marsh flies are generally slender, yellowish or brownish, 1/4 - 1/2" long. They have fairly prominent eyes, prominent forward-pointing antennae, and bristles on the femora (upper hind leg). The wings are mottled with various light brown markings according to species. Marsh flies are common along the edges of ponds and rivers, and in marshy areas where the larvae prey on or become parasites of slugs & snails.

Habitat: Near ponds, streams, marshes.
Range: Throughout North America.
Food: Adults drink dew, nectar, and tree sap. Larvae prey on slugs and freshwater snails.

Unidentified Marsh Fly
Marsh Fly on recently deceased crawfish. Unidentified

Marsh Fly, Sepedon species
Marsh Fly, Sepedon species

Marsh Fly, Sepedon species
 

 

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