snipefly

Snipefly larvae

 

Snipefly

How to make the ID: long and narrow, shaped like a cylinder with a cone-shaped abdomen, two long filaments at the end of the abdomen. The adult looks like a fly.

Its Color: brownish

How it reproduces: the female leaves the eggs on overhanging vegetation and dies immediately. She remains attached to the mass of eggs; larvae hatch and drop into water.

Metamorphosis: Complete

It is food for: larger predators.

Its food: larvae are predacious, adults feed mostly on blood.

Indicator: usually found in clean water.

Length: up to 1/2 inch.

 

 

Pictures and information from EPA Biological Indicators of Watershed Health are used with permission from Mr. Wayne Davis.