Bibio articulatus

Species of fly

Bibio articulatus

Scientific classification
Domain:  | Eukaryota
Kingdom:  | Animalia
Phylum:  | Arthropoda
Class:  | Insecta
Order:  | Diptera
Family:  | Bibionidae
Genus:  | Bibio
Species:  |

B. articulatus

Binomial name
Bibio articulatus

Say, 1823

Female with pollen

Bibio articulatus is a species of march fly in the family Bibionidae.[1][2][3][4] Its distinctive features are its dark exoskeleton that varries from black to a deep red, and red/orange legs.[5]

## Range

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Bibio articulatus is most commonly found in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, all the way to the coast.[6]

## Habitat

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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.[5][6]

## Sexual dimorphism

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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.[6]

## Reproductive cycle

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Bibio articulatus will usually begin appearing in March, and be most active during April and May before going dormant during June.[4] After the mating period, the female Bibio articulatus will lay eggs in loose soil or decaying substrate. 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.[5]

## References

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1. ^ "Bibio articulatus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
2. ^ "Bibio articulatus species details". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
3. ^ "Bibio articulatus". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
4. ^ a b "Bibio articulatus". inaturalist.org. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
5. ^ a b c "Bibio articulatus". pictureinsect.com. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
6. ^ a b c "Species Bibio articulatus". bugguide.net. Retrieved 2024-06-13.

Taxon identifiers

Bibio articulatus|

* Wikidata: Q14189699
* BioLib: 862723
* BugGuide: 371338
* CoL: LR4Q
* EoL: 740511
* GBIF: 1591059
* iNaturalist: 494437
* IRMNG: 10129580
* ITIS: 121321
* Open Tree of Life: 4496888