March Fly in Alaska

Subject:  Dozens of these guys all of a sudden.
Geographic location of the bug:  Eagle River, Alaska
Date: 09/08/2021
Time: 01:11 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  A couple days ago I noticed dozens of these guys all over my deck, cars, and front of house. Not sure where they came from or what they are. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
How you want your letter signed:  Bryan

March Fly

Dear Bryan,
This is a March Fly in the family Bibionidae and probably the genus Bibio.  They often appear in great numbers and then just as suddenly they will be gone.  According to BugGuide:  “Adults emerge synchronously in huge numbers and often form dense mating aggregations. Males form loose “swarms” and copulate immediately with females as they emerge from the soil. After mating, female bibionines dig a small chamber in the soil with their fossorial fore tibiae, lay eggs, and die within the chamber (Plecia lay eggs on the soil surface). Adults are short-lived (3-7 days).”

Thanks for the quick info and links. Now at least I know what I’m dealing with. Hopefully they disappear again soon.
All the best,
Bryan

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