Wasp Mimic Fly (Salpingogaster nigra) | Project Noah

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Photo by LaurenZarate

Published on Project Noah

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Field Notes

Description:

A wonderful wasp mimic fly of the Family Syrphidae. It really fooled me and flew around close to the ground very wasp-like. It wanted the salt on our skin and I never would have suspected it was a fly until it landed on my arm.
It turns out this has a wide distribution in the Americas and is an important biological control species against nymphal Spittlebugs, especially those of roots. This was a low-flying fly and was extremely abundant, almost pestiferous, as were many species of Spittlebugs.

Habitat:

Heavy shrubbery along the highway between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Tuxtla Gutierrez, km 11.5, 865 meters.

Notes:

The last picture shows the wing venation and the diagnostic bristles on the metafemur of this species.

Reference Links:

Salpingogaster nigra | Flower Flies (Syrphidae)

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (10)

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Thank you Toshimi :)

Wonderful series!

Thank you Agustin, Mona and Luis :)

Very interesting Lauren.

Very cool.. Awesome series..

Agustín Amenabar L

Beautiful fly, it would not suprise me to see a electric car inspired on it's design. Very tiny, great shots Lauren.

Thank you Aaron :)

Such a neat fly! Thanks for sharing, Lauren.

Thanks Juan, yes I was amazed too that it was a Syrphid....

wow, I thought it was a Conopid fly until I saw the mouth parts

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