The insect is only about 3-4 mm long. Its wings normally rest much like a leafhoppers wings, but it was stretching them a lot, so they're out a bit in this pic. I got the impression it "jumped" when it got tired of me looking at it... The antenna are very short, and appear to be yellow. As you can see, the body and wings are blue, and there appear to be lines coming off the black wing spots to the inside edge of the wings...
I've only seen this IDed one other time but I can't remember what it is. It is a fly but Flap will have to tell you the name. I saw a video of it moving. Very cool!
Thank you. I do so hope I can get an ID. From the looks of things, this isn't a very common critter... Flapdoodle, do you have any ideas?
This message was edited Sep 17, 2014 4:07 PM
It looks like a fruit fly (family Tephritidae) in the genus Trupanea - see http://research.pomona.edu/bfs/files/2012/06/Trupanea-051412-1892-HW.jpg for an example.
Well, I'll be. Thanks!!
I found the video, if you're interested. YouTube...trupanea fruit fly -wing display.
