Condylostylus patibulatus

Overview

• Taxonomy:

  • Family: Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies)

  • Genus: Condylostylus

  • Species: Condylostylus patibulatus

• Common Name: No widely used common name; generally referred to as a long-legged fly.

• Range: Widely distributed in North America, including the Midwest (Illinois and surrounding states). Found in gardens, meadows, wetlands, and forest edges where moisture and vegetation are abundant.

Identification

• Appearance:

  • Metallic green or blue body with a slender build.

  • Long, spindly legs (characteristic of the family).

  • Small size: usually 3–7 mm long.

• Behavior:

  • Seen darting and hovering close to vegetation surfaces.

  • Quick, erratic flight pattern when disturbed.

Ecological Role

• Predator of Pests:

  • Adults are active hunters that feed on tiny soft-bodied insects, including aphids, thrips, mites, and mosquito larvae, helping control garden pests naturally.

• Pollination:

  • Though not their primary role, adults occasionally feed on nectar and pollen, providing incidental pollination of small native flowers.

• Food Source:

  • Serve as prey for spiders, dragonflies, birds, and larger predatory insects, contributing to food web diversity.

• Indicator Species:

  • Presence often indicates a healthy, pesticide-free habitat with good plant and insect diversity.

Habitat Needs

• Moisture: Prefer damp soil or leaf litter for larval development.

• Microhabitats: Thrive in complex plant structures (prairie edges, meadows, woodland openings) where they can hunt.

• Organic Matter: Larvae develop in decaying plant material or moist soil.

Supporting Condylostylus patibulatus

Key Strategy

Provide diverse native plantings to attract both the pests they feed on (like aphids, which occur naturally) and nectar sources for adults. Avoid pesticide use.

Best Native Plants (Midwestern Focus)

These plants support a rich insect community (aphids, small pollinators) that long-legged flies hunt, plus nectar sources for the flies themselves:

Prairie and Meadow Flowers

• Pycnanthemum muticum (Short-toothed Mountain Mint) – nectar magnet for small insects.

• Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) – attracts small pollinators and aphids.

• Echinacea purpurea / pallida (Purple Coneflower) – provides structure and nectar.

• Solidago spp. (Goldenrods, e.g., Solidago speciosa) – late-season nectar and insect diversity.

• Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster) – supports late-season pollinators.

Woodland Edge and Moist Areas

• Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) – early nectar source and host for diverse aphid communities.

• Eutrochium purpureum( Joe-Pye Weed) – tall structure and nectar; supports aphids and small flies.

• Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain) – moist habitat nectar source.

Grasses and Structural Plants

• Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) – shelter for insects in stems and litter.

• Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass) – provides overwintering habitat for prey species.

Additional Tips for Habitat Creation

• Diverse Layers: Combine flowers, grasses, and shrubs to create microhabitats.

• Continuous Bloom: Ensure nectar is available spring through fall.

• Moisture Retention: Include mulched areas or rain gardens; larvae develop in damp soil.

• Pesticide-Free: Essential for supporting predatory insects like long-legged flies.