March fly

noun

1. any of several flies of the family Bibionidae that appear during spring and early summer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of March fly¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

A March fly rests on one the stem of a lowbush blueberry.

From New York Times

One day, after a protracted relapse, as I was creeping feebly along Broadway, sunning myself, like a March fly on a window-pane, whom should I meet but St. Leger, my friend.

From Project Gutenberg

Where the grass was comparatively sparse a little lizard, upon whose bronze head the sunlight glistened, sighted on a chip a lumbering "March" fly dreaming of blood, and with a dash that almost eluded observation seized and shook it.

From Project Gutenberg

He preys upon the lustrous bluish-green fly, which draws blood almost on the moment of alighting, and also on the sluggish "march" fly, which goes about the business of blood-sucking in a lazy, dreamy, lackadaisical style; and I am inclined to acknowledge him as a friend and as a blessing to humanity generally.

From Project Gutenberg