Taeniaptera is a fascinating genus of slender-bodied flies belonging to the stilt-legged fly family (Micropezidae). Like all true flies, they actually have very short antennae. But they cleverly make up for this by holding their front pair of legs straight out in front of their heads and moving them in a way that closely resembles the long, swaying antennae of other insects, for example those belonging to the dangerous stinging wasps. Adult flies can often be seen sipping nectar or droplets of water from leaves, while their larvae develop in decomposing plant matter. Because of this, they play an important role as natural recyclers in both native ecosystems and agricultural landscapes. I met this remarkable fly in the city park of Tena, in the Amazon region of Ecuador.