heidedansvlieg
Empis serotina
Empis serotina, known as the heidedansvlieg, is a distinctive dance fly species characterized by its predatory lifestyle and elaborate mating displays where males present nuptial gifts to females. These medium-sized dipterans have elongated proboscis and robust legs adapted for capturing smaller flying insects.
4
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Empididae
Genus
Empis
heidedansvlieg belongs to the family Empididae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Empis serotina, known as the heidedansvlieg, is a distinctive dance fly species characterized by its predatory lifestyle and elaborate mating displays where males present nuptial gifts to females. These medium-sized dipterans have elongated proboscis and robust legs adapted for capturing smaller flying insects. They play a crucial ecological role as both predators of pest insects and pollinators of various flowering plants during their nectar-feeding activities.
Empis serotina faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development in its limited range. The species' specialized habitat requirements and restricted distribution make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and fragmentation of suitable breeding sites.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Empis serotina inhabits open heathlands, moorlands, and sandy grasslands with scattered shrubs, particularly favoring areas with flowering heather and other ericaceous plants. The species requires a mosaic of bare ground for hunting and dense vegetation patches that provide shelter and breeding sites.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Empis serotina faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development in its limited range. The species' specialized habitat requirements and restricted distribution make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and fragmentation of suitable breeding sites.
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change affecting breeding cycles
Habitat fragmentation
Pollution from agricultural chemicals
Found in 4 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). heidedansvlieg (Empis serotina). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/heidedansvlieg