The Dagger

They are small, yet they are really interesting when you look at them up close. Like this portayed specimen, some flies of the Empididae family have sharp piercing mouthparts (the proboscis) which they use to pierce their victims, making them feared creatures among the small insect world. There are more than 3000 different species of dagger and balloon flies known today.

The dagger fly in this photograph measures about 1 cm in length and 0,5 cm in height. In my opinion, a real beauty!

<sub>Website - Facebook (Dutch)- Facebook (English)

© Jürgen de Witte - www.jurgendewitte.com - all rights reserved</sub>