Picture-Winged Fly (Tritoxa incurva)
Cannot find a lot of information on this fly. BugGuide says Tritoxa incurva is widespread in central and eastern North America. It is found in fields and meadows. The food of adults is said to be unknown with the suggestion that perhaps they take nectar as they are often seen in meadows with flowers. Most larvae of this fly family (Ulidiidae) are scavengers on decaying organic matter.
This particular picture-winged fly was found on our front steps and was eating carpenter bee poop.
Thanks to Ron at BugGuide for the ID
13 comments:
Well, this is another beauty that I don't know anything about. I wonder why I just look at smaller insects, like this one, and move on to something else? It must have a special need and what that is might be what I need to know more about.
I so appreciate your naming my stuff for me and I have added your name to the blog post for today. Thanks for that.
Thanks to you and others, I get a big lift out of trying to outdo myself and post things that may surprise some and make others laugh a bit and most of all make lots of people aware of things that might not know much about.
When somebody actually takes the time to write a comment about my work and what I do, that to me is the biggest gift a person can give another. It is a smile on greeting, it is a welcome handshake, and it gives me and my family some hope that the dementia farm is still down the road.
You, yourself, are an inspiration to me. I come back not only to say, "thanks for visiting and leaving a comment" but thanks for taking the time to photograph things of interest and great beauty. Without that, blogging would be about as exciting as a wart on the end of my nose.
So, thanks for stopping at my blog. And rest assured, when you do, I will always try to visit your blog, in return, and leave a comment on your blog. I might not think your photography is ready for the masterpiece award, but it got my attention.
Sincerely,
Abraham Lincoln
oldmanlincoln in Brookville, Ohio
These flies look so much like wasps. I wonder if this is a mimic. I would think it a wasp of some sort if I saw it in my garden.
Mmmmmmmmmmmm, carpenter bee poop. My favorite! *L* ;)
Marvin, just how big is this creature? I know you take macro photographs, but I want to know if I need to flee this spooky looking thing, or if I'm safe -- as long as I don't taste like carpenter bee poop!
No problem about not being able to capture a Road Runner. I can't get birds moving either. Only got one, single, one bird picture period. ,-)
You may not have that needed lens or whatever {same as me} but you certainly have whatever it takes, to get these close ups! I can't do that, either. -moan- :-)
But you know I can't close without asking, how did you know that fly was eating "carpenter bee poop"? You can recognize such?
No, no more info. On second thought, maybe I don't want to know any more about how you know it's carpenter bee poop. -evil giggles-
Mari-Nanci
'Smilnsigh' blog
ummm! Sawdust and Honey flavour.. my favourite.. :O)
We have a lot of them here around the house. I always stop to admire them. they are so cool looking.
Nice photo and write-up.
I just did a post on a grasshopper that was giving me ID fits. BugGuide to the rescue.
Troy
Thanks to all for their comments.
Mari-Nanci: I've got to admit, "poop" isn't a very scientifically precise term. All I know is that there's a carpenter bee nest in the rafters of my porch right above where I found this fly. The yellow gunk is what the female shoves out of the nest hole when she does a nest cleaning.
Pat: I don't think you have to worry. The fly is a little less than a half inch long. As far as I know, Lisa is correct. It is a wasp mimic that can neither bite nor sting.
Tom: Well, that's one way to get your recommended daily allowance of fiber.
Troy: Grasshoppers are often tough to ID. I really haven't gotten into them yet.
this is another beauty..this fly is half inch long.
I did a post today on a picture-winged fly very similar to this one. I gave a call out to your specimen for comparison.
Troy
you say this is widespread in central america, but where is your source? I've been looking in lots of catalogues and manuals, and i believe that it certainly is in central america, but i cannot for the life of me find a reputable source stating this.
Alyssa: No, although my wording obviously isn't clear, I do not say this species is widespread in Central America. I don't even mention Central America. What I say -- and provide a link to BugGuide as my source -- is that Tritoxa incurva is widespread in the central and eastern sections of North America.
Sorry about the confusion. Good luck in your quest for more information about this species in Central America.
You're quite right! Whoops! Thanks for clearing that up, great picture by the way. :)
Post a Comment