Fever-fly - Dilophus febrilis

Length: 3.5 to 8 mm. Similar to the St Mark's Fly but not as hairy and with a ring of spines at the tip of the front tibia. The female has tinted wings - except for the tips, whilst the male has clear wings with a black stigma. Both males and females can be distinguished from other Dilophus species by having two rows of sub-medial spines on the front tibia, in addition to the apical ring. The lower row is usually just a single spine and generally on the dorsal side.

Female , Male

Around low vegetation.

Found in spring to late summer peaking in April and May.

The larvae live underground and may damage plant roots.

Fairly common and widespread throughout Britain.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.