''Bibio articulatus'' is a species of

march fly Bibionidae (March flies) is a family of flies (Diptera) containing approximately 650–700 species worldwide. Adults are nectar feeders and emerge in numbers in spring. Because of the likelihood of adults flies being found ''in copula'', they h ...

in the family Bibionidae. Its distinctive features are its dark exoskeleton that varries from black to a deep red, and red/orange legs.

Range

''Bibio articulatus'' is most commonly found in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, all the way to the coast.

Habitat

''Bibio articulatus'' can be found usually in rotting trees, or eating the leaves of plants without causing significant damage. It is also found in loose soil during its reproductive cycles.

Sexual dimorphism

The sexual dimorphism in ''Bibio articulatus'' is mainly limited to eye size and body size, but has a few other varying traits. Male red-legged March flies have eye formations that are dramatically larger and take up most of the head, while females have small eyes that sit on the side of the head; although females are often larger in size than males. Also, females will typically have more red midsections, while males will have more black, and occasionally males will have more clear wings.

Reproductive cycle

''Bibio articulatus'' will usually begin appearing in March, and be most active during April and May before going dormant during June. After the mating period, the female ''Bibio articulatus'' will lay eggs in loose soil or decaying

substrate Substrate may refer to: Physical layers *Substrate (biology), the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the surface or medium on which an organism grows or is attached ** Substrate (locomotion), the surface over which an organism lo ...

. These eggs are usually small, oblong, and vary in color. The larvae will hatch resembling small, featureless, worms. The larvae will eventually encapsulate itself in a pupa and gain its coloration. At the emergence from the pupa, the adult has functional wings and reproductive organs.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q14189699 Bibionidae Articles created by Qbugbot Insects described in 1823