CLOSED: PARASITIC FLY..??

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
LEO88 Big Rapids, MI(Zone 4b) Aug 21, 2010

...this guy was on a sunflower, but appears to be feeding on a dead insect (long proboscis for sucking juices)...pale color= possible albino, or immature..??...no idea on this guy

Thumbnail by LEO88
Post #8053356
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Aug 21, 2010

This is a new one on me - in 60-odd years of insect watching, I've never seen anything like this. I'm reasonably sure that it is not a parasitic species; it may simply be an oddball species in an otherwise common family. If you see one again, try to get a photo from above that shows all the wing venation.

Post #8054432
Quote
LEO88 Big Rapids, MI(Zone 4b) Aug 22, 2010

...at least I don't feel like such a dummy now...for not having a clue on this one..!!...I also sent the photo to my old entomology prof...maybe he can help...if I get more pics...I'll post...thankx...Rob

Post #8054942
Quote
LEO88 Big Rapids, MI(Zone 4b) Aug 23, 2010

Suunto... how about an immature Phthiriinae.... Bee Fly (Bombyliidae) ...???...often found on yellow flowers, also.

Post #8056628
Quote
LEO88 Big Rapids, MI(Zone 4b) Aug 23, 2010

... the lack of pigmentation would suggest an immature individual...positive species ID needs better wing ID; but look at Poecilognathus sp...
http://bugguide.net/node/view.../169732/bgimage

Post #8056647
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Aug 23, 2010

Good call, LEO88! Check out the image of Poecilognathus unimaculatus at http://tinyurl.com/26bdc7j
You might want to consider adding this to the bugfiles at http://tinyurl.com/2fec25k

Post #8056981
Quote
LEO88 Big Rapids, MI(Zone 4b) Aug 23, 2010

....image added...thanks for your input, suunto

Post #8057157
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP