''Lonchoptera bifurcata'' is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of spear-winged or pointed-winged

flies Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwings having evolved into advanced ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

'' Lonchopteridae''. It has a

Holarctic The Holarctic realm is a biogeographic realm that comprises the majority of habitats found throughout the continents in the Northern Hemisphere. It corresponds to the floristic Boreal Kingdom. It includes both the Nearctic zoogeographical region ...

distribution and is present in Europe, Asia and North America.

Description

An adult ''Lonchoptera bifurcata'' is about 2-5mm (0.08-0.2in) long. In North America it can be distinguished from closely related species by having pale-coloured bristles behind the eyes, several bristles on the front of the tibiae of the first pair of legs (other species have a single bristle), and wings with fairly sharp points. There are two colour phases, light tan and black. Dark phase individuals may have a completely dark abdomen or may have pale longitudinal markings on the abdomen.

Habitat

Adults of ''Lonchoptera bifurcata'' are typically found around damp lawns and in ditches, while the larvae develop in decaying organic matter.

Biology

In North America, males of this species are very seldom seen, and the females produce young by

parthenogenesis Parthenogenesis (; from the Greek grc, παρθένος, translit=parthénos, lit=virgin, label=none + grc, γένεσις, translit=génesis, lit=creation, label=none) is a natural form of asexual reproduction in which growth and development ...

. This seems also to be the case in other parts of the insect's distribution.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q14060131 Lonchopteridae Muscomorph flies of Europe Diptera of Asia Diptera of North America Insects described in 1810 Taxa named by Carl Fredrik Fallén