FRIT FLY

FRIT FLY

Thaumatomyia sp.
FRIT FLY FAMILY (Chloropidae)

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This small fly is approximately 3/16 inch (4 mm) in length. It is bright yellow with bold black stripes on the thorax and black bands on the abdomen. The wings are clear, the legs yellow and the widely-separated eyes are reddish brown. This fly is in the sub-family Chloripinae, commonly known as Grass Flies. Some Frit Flies breed in decaying material but most larval Chloropidae are associated with grass stems. This fly was identified to genus by volunteer experts at Bug Guide.

 

Frit flies and other flies in the family Chloropidae are thought to be common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.

 

There are almost 300 species of flies in the family Chloropidae in North America and eleven species in the genus Thaumatomyia. Larvae are predaceous on aphids.

 

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