THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource
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  Identify taxaSoft bodiedDipteraHead less visible
  Empididae
(dance flies)
usually tan to white with 7 or 8 pairs of well-developed abdominal prolegs. Parts of the head are often visible through the skin at their anterior end as a few long, dark rods. 		 
       
  Ephydridae
(shore flies)
poorly-developed heads; cylindrical body tapering to cone-shaped point at head; tip of abdomen may have pair of short or long breathing tubes with darkened tips

  
     

 
  Syrphidae
(rat-tailed maggots)
head is reduced and non-distinct; thick wrinkly cylindrical body with blunt anterior; single long thin breathing tube on the hind end.		  

syrphidaesyrphidaesyrphidae
       
  Tipulidae
(crane flies)
head is drawn into thorax and is not visible; large thick cylindrical body; short fleshy lobes at the tip of the abdomen
  tipulatipulatipulidaetipulaormosiadicranota
       
 

Not like any of the above families: head reduced to rods, abdominal segments encircled with bumpy rings

   dolichopodidaedolichopodidaedolichopodidaedolichopodidaetabanidaetabanidae
       
 
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