About Lonchoptera bifurcata (Fallén, 1810)
An adult Lonchoptera bifurcata measures approximately 2 to 5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.2 inches) in length. In North America, this species can be told apart from its close relatives by three key traits: it has pale-coloured bristles behind its eyes, it bears several bristles on the front of the first pair of leg tibiae (while other related species only have a single bristle here), and its wings have fairly sharp points. Lonchoptera bifurcata has two distinct colour phases: light tan and black. Individuals in the dark colour phase may either have a completely dark abdomen, or show pale longitudinal markings on the abdomen. Adult Lonchoptera bifurcata are most commonly found around damp lawns and in ditches. The larvae of this species develop in decaying organic matter.
