[2] H. apicalis is widely distributed throughout the lower United States and are the most common hangingfly in Illinois.

[1] Adults live around small herbaceous plants and are active diurnally which makes this an easy species for study.

[4] Males and females of this species can be distinguished by sexual dimorphism obvious in the structure of the abdominal segments.

[5][6] When not in flight the adults hang from the foliage by their front legs and it is from this behaviour that the family Bittacidae get their common name of Hangingflies.

[8] Other common predators are Robber flies, Damselflies and occasionally even cannibalistic actions of other H. apicalis adults.

[8] The cannibalistic behavior is more likely to occur to freshly molted adults which are still soft bodied.

[7] Forcipomyia mcateei are common parasites that feed on the dorsal side of the thorax and cervical areas of an adult H.

[4] This microsporidium has been found in a few other mecopteran species although infection rates are considerably lower making H. apicalis the primary host.

[4] Prey is mostly non-insect invertebrates and insects and is chosen non-selectively and in relation to the abundance in the environment.

[6] The type most commonly eaten is aphids, although treehoppers, leafhoppers, and psyllids are also frequent prey.

First, prey can be captured by quickly flying out to grab it using the prehensile tarsi of the hind legs.

[9][6] Second, adults can hang from their front legs and catch prey as they pass by, also using their prehensile hind tarsi.

[6] Third, adults may just move their mid and hind legs back and forth as they fly or as they walk along a plant and if a prey touched they will capture it.

[3] After this flight the male lands by grabbing the vegetation with his forelegs and releases pheromones by exposing glands on his abdomen.

[3] If the prey item is larger the female may allow copulation but may leave after 5 to 20 minutes, which prevents full sperm transfer.

[10] Once copulation is completed the male will usually retrieve the prey if it was dropped by the female and feed from it briefly.

[10] The larvae of H. apicalis is eruciform with a sclerotized head and segmented, yet soft, body.

[1] H. apicalis pupae are exarate and morphologically similar to the adults with the wings folded tightly against the body.