Rhamphomyia longicauda

Rhamphomyia longicauda
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Empididae
Genus: Rhamphomyia
Subgenus: Rhamphomyia
Species:
R. longicauda
Binomial name
Rhamphomyia longicauda
Loew, 1861

Rhamphomyia longicauda, the long-tailed dance fly, is a species of fly commonly found in eastern North America that belongs to the family Empididae and part of the superfamily of dance flies Empidoidea. It is included in the subgenus Rhamphomyia.[1] This species of fly is most known for sex role reversal during courtship, as females put on exaggerated displays and congregate in leks to attract males. Females cannot hunt for food, so they receive protein from nuptial gifts brought to them by males. Female dependence on males for nutrition is the principal cause for sex role reversal in this species of fly.

  1. ^ Meigen, J. W. (1822). Systematische Beschreibung der bekannten europaischen zweiflugeligen Insekten. Hamm: Dritter Theil. Schulz-Wundermann. pp. x, 416, pls. 22–32. Retrieved 14 April 2019.