St. Mark's flies …

Day 310 #365DaysWild

St Marks day, we’re told falls on the 25 April.

This is typically when black flies Bibio marci or St. Mark's flies emerge. Hence their name.

And, like clockwork, they’re here again.

They feed on roots in their larval stage.

As adults they have a distinctive flight just hanging around from head height or into the tops of our limes. Long back legs trailing.

Must be a feeding bonanza for birds agile enough to catch them.m

An enduring memory of our time here in spring.