The Peacock Fly is about .25 inch (6 mm) in length. The eyes are red. The body and wings have an intricate bold pattern of black and white spots. The head is gray with black spots. It holds its wings upright like a turkey and walks around moving the wings in a rowing motion.
The frequency of occurrence in our area is not known. The individuals shown here were photographed in Fontenelle Forest on North Stream Trail in mid-September. They often can be seen displaying out-stretched wings on newly fallen trees.
The family was formerly called Otitidae. The larvae develop under bark, and feed on decaying organic matter.
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