ORNATE SNIPE FLY

ORNATE SNIPE FLY

Chrysopilus ornatus
SNIPE FLY FAMILY (Rhagionidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

This small fly is approximately 1/2 inch (13 mm) in length. The thorax and abdomen of the male are black with prominent white to buff colored bands. The bands on the abdomen almost touch in the middle. The abdomen is long, slender and tapered at the tip. The wings are clear and a light tan color. The legs are long and a tan to brown color. The female, shown in the last photo, has a black thorax and thicker abdomen than the male with yellowish bands.

 

This species is considered to be common in this area and in eastern North America. The male was photographed in Fontenelle Forest in early June and the female was attracted to lights set up to attract moths in early June 2017.

 

There are about 30 species in this genus (Chrysopilus) in North America. Both the larvae and adults are predatory on a variety of small insects. The larvae live mostly in decayed wood. The adults are usually seen on foliage.

 

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