Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Colorful fly with Enormously Long Legs

Posted by Stephen on 20-08-2010 18:04
#1

I was stalking a flying, mating pair of this beautiful species. I got only one picture, and by the time the "pre flash" went off and the picture was taken the flies had separated. What long legs the flying one has!

I wrote some data on the picture itself.

I believe this is a Syrphid but if I am wrong please let me know!

Posted by Stephen on 20-08-2010 18:05
#2

Here is the other member of the pair.

Posted by Nosferatumyia on 20-08-2010 18:16
#3

Looks like a robber fly (Asilidae), like other Leptogastrini you have on the Bugguide

Edited by Nosferatumyia on 20-08-2010 18:30

Posted by xylo on 20-08-2010 18:27
#4

No, not Asilidae. It is a strange looking Bombylid: Systropus sp.

so long,
xylo

Posted by Nosferatumyia on 20-08-2010 18:31
#5

Thanks, Bjoern! It was a problem, as robber flies never have such a long proboscis. Probably, S. macer then.

Edited by Nosferatumyia on 20-08-2010 18:59

Posted by Stephen on 21-08-2010 00:46
#6

Bjoern, Valery, Thanks so much for your help with this one. The minute I first saw this fly I thought it was one of the Leptogastrini robbers that Valery mentioned. But when I got the photograph up on the screen I thought it looked like a very slender Syrphid. I would never have thought of Bombyliidae, though, especially since it is so slender!