Fruit Fly (Trupanea nigricornis)

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Photo by CindyBinghamKeiser

Published on Project Noah

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Field Notes

Description:

This small fly has a gray thorax and abdomen. The wings are clear with a black pattern that mimics an ant or spider on the end. It moves it's wings independently, side to side while resting.

Habitat:

Rose in front yard

Reference Links:

Species Trupanea nigricornis - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (16)

EricHillstrom

That second article makes a very good point! I wonder if I see ants or jumping spiders on the wings simply because they are there, or if my mind is trying to make patterns out of nothing. Very interesting. Still a beautiful insect nonetheless.

CindyBinghamKeiser

Thank you Scott!

Scott Frazier

Here's the link http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/survival-of-the-extraordinary-a-fly-with-ants-on-its-wings/ and another http://www.biodiversityinfocus.com/blog/2013/11/06/ants-spiders-or-wishful-thinking/

CindyBinghamKeiser

Hi Eric, I saw it too and was excited to spot this beauty! This one is a different species as the other was from the United Arab Emirates but it is quite similar.

EricHillstrom

I'd seen a Facebook post about the unique pattern on this insect's wings a week or so ago. So cool that you saw one in person. I'd definitely love to run across one. Great pictures!

CindyBinghamKeiser

Thanks Adarsha :)

Adarsha B S

Supercool Cindy :)

CindyBinghamKeiser

Thank you ChiefRedEarth and Bhagya!

Bhagya Herath

wow!!!! amazing

Joseph CHIEF REDEARTH

Nice one! Interesting black pattern that mimics an ant or spider.

CindyBinghamKeiser

Thank you Lauren! Wow, yours is awesome! Nature is fascinating.

LaurenZarate

Great find Cindy! Remarkable wing pattern. It is like the one that mimics a Jumping Spider on the wings! Same family. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/34675050/fullscreen

CindyBinghamKeiser

Yes! It's a different genus than the one that's been going around the internet but it's close :)

LuisStevens

No way! You found one of these! Congrats Cindy!

EmilyMarino

You got one! Rad! Man that is quite the macro you have there!

RickLampman

AMAZING !!!