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Fly

Tephritidae

Photo by Sckel
Published on Project Noah
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-20.2416, -40.3857

Species ID Suggestions

Fruit fly

Tephritidae sp.
João Burini
1

Comments (9)
Sckel
Obrigada, Adarsha.
Sckel
Lauren, thanks for your explanation of the mouthparts of the fly. "gas mask" was the first thing I thought when I saw this thing flies projected out. Thanks again for your attention. I am unable to ID this fly, I'm a little angry about it. I edited the ID, left that way: Fly / Tephritidae.
LaurenZarate
Signal Flies often have these "gas mask" mouthparts. Big sucking saprophytic mouthparts. This really does look similar to your other spotting in the Family Ricardiidae. This could be Platystomatidae (Signal Flies) or Ricardiidae (sometimes also called Signal Flies). Both these families are in the SuperfamilyTephritoidea (which also contains the Fruit Flies: Tephritidae). I don't think this one is a Tephritid. Wish we could check the actual specimen.
Sckel
I do not know what is this thing, I'll search later. Just know that is retractable.
Mark Ridgway
That protrusion from the head in pic 2 (mouth parts?) is fascinating.
Sckel
Hi, Lauren. It has the abdomen inward and a thin extension in the abdomen, I do not know if it's ovipositor. Looks like this, you helped me ID: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/32364099 However, it is larger. I do not remember how he moved the wings, I remember it was hiding on the other side of the leaf, until he chafed at my insistence and flew. Thanks for your attention.
LaurenZarate
Hi Sckel, do you remember if this fly was waving its wings all about when you saw it? I think this might be a Signal Fly, Family Platystomatidae. This link has Signal Flies from Australia, similar. I didn't yet find any Brasilian ones that look like yours. http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_acalyptrata/ScarabFly.htm Other interesting links: http://www4.uwm.edu/fieldstation/naturalhistory/bugoftheweek/signalfly.cfm http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/t-g-i-flyday-soybean-nodule-fly/

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PublishedJanuary 3, 2014

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