# Long-nosed Swamp Fly (*Eurimyia stipata*) The Long-nosed Swamp Fly is a small insect that loves to buzz around wetlands. With its long nose, it sips nectar from flowers and helps plants grow by spreading pollen. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Long-nosed Swamp Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Euromyia_stipatus_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Chloe and Trevor Van Loon, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euromyia_stipatus_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Long-nosed Swamp Fly is a slender insect often sporting iridescent green or metallic blue body segments. It has notably large, reddish compound eyes and a distinctive, elongated proboscis that resembles a long 'nose'. Its delicate, clear wings are typically veined with brown or black. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Eurimyia ## Interesting facts - Baby swamp flies start their lives as wiggly, worm-like creatures in pond water! - Some swamp flies can glitter with metallic rainbow colors in bright sunlight! - Their 'nose' is actually a super-long tongue used for slurping up sweet nectar! - They can actually 'taste' with their feet, sensing sugars just by landing! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Straw Tongue:** Long-nosed Swamp Fly has an extra-long proboscis that helps them sip nectar from deep flowers like a tiny, flexible straw. - **Wetland Acrobatics:** Long-nosed Swamp Fly can expertly fly through dense swamp vegetation because of their agile wings, avoiding obstacles with ease. - **Aquatic Childhood:** Long-nosed Swamp Fly has larvae that live underwater, which helps them develop safely from many land-based predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-25 mm - **Size:** 8-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These flies sip nectar from flowers like a hummingbird and help plants make seeds! - **Age differences:** Larvae consume decaying organic matter and microorganisms in water, adults feed on nectar. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, plant sap, pollen - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Bullfrogs often snatch flying insects. - **Hunts:** [Widow Skimmer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/widow-skimmer) (*Libellula luctuosa*) — Dragonflies are aerial predators of smaller flies. - **Pollinates:** Fragrant Water Lily (*Nymphaea odorata*) — The fly's long proboscis reaches deep nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats actively hunt flying insects at dusk. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Long-nosed Swamp Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Long-nosed Swamp Fly's wingspan? 15-25 mm ### How big is Long-nosed Swamp Fly? 8-15 mm ### How long does Long-nosed Swamp Fly live? 15-30 days ### How fast can Long-nosed Swamp Fly fly? 12 km/h ### What does Long-nosed Swamp Fly eat? These flies sip nectar from flowers like a hummingbird and help plants make seeds! ### Where is Long-nosed Swamp Fly usually found? Wetlands ### How does Long-nosed Swamp Fly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Sheepscot Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sheepscot-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Long-nosed Swamp Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-nosed-swamp-fly)