mystery fly?
Location: Sandwich, MA, Cape Cod, USA
July 16, 2011 3:13 pm
Hi, I found this guy on my porch rail this morning here on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It was a cool July morning and the insect was sluggish enough to pose for a good shot. Can you tell me what it is? And is it a biting insect? Its mouthparts remind me of those of a horsefly.
Signature: Tim Crowninshield
Robber Fly
Hi Tim,
We are starting to go cross-eyed we have looked at so many Flies on BugGuide, and like you, we haven’t a clue as to the identity of this stunning Fly. Something makes us think it is a predator, and possibly a Robber Fly, but that is just a hunch. We will try to contact Eric Eaton to see if he is able to assist in an identification.
Robber Fly
Daniel:
It is indeed a robber fly, Ommatius tibialis most likely:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/20271
That “bump” on the front margin of the wing is pretty diagnostic it would appear.
Eric
Massive Black Winged Thing
Location: South West Michigan
July 13, 2011 9:53 pm
This afternoon (July 13th) I was sitting outside around 4 pm when this really big insect landed on the mint in my garden. I thought it looked wasp-like on top, but the bottom looks more dragonfly-ish. It flew off after a bit and when it came towards me I ran. In my defence; it was over an inch long and looks rather badass.
I’ve asked several people but nobody knows! Any ideas? Thank you!
Signature: Erica
Mydas Fly
Hi Erica,
The Mydas Fly, Mydas clavatus, is actually a true Fly, though it does mimic certain wasps as a defense mechanism. It does not bite or sting, and despite its large size and fierce appearance, it is perfectly harmless.
Flying insect in Texas
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
July 11, 2011 6:33 pm
Hi, I took this picture on my front porch in Ft Worth, Texas. It was about 4:30 in the afternoon on a very hot day in July.
It kinda looks like a dragonfly…but not quite. It is only about 1 1/2” long.
I’m stumped.
P.S. I also don’t live near any ponds or lakes. Very much an urban area.
Signature: Leah in Texas
Robber Fly
Hi Leah,
This is a predatory Robber Fly, and we believe we may have identified it as Efferia aestuans, based on this photo posted to BugGuide.
Thank you! The end of it’s tail was really throwing me.
A bug I found in Maine.
Location: Andover, Maine
July 10, 2011 6:19 pm
Hi my name is Sara from Andover, Maine. When I was out for a ride with my friend we found a bug on the windsheild. It has five legs, slim torso, black and white legs and wing. I am only a 13 year old so I am really curious on this topic.
Signature: Sara .A.
Phantom Crane Fly
Hi Sara,
This is a Phantom Crane Fly. It’s phantom status refers to its coloration and its manner of flight. When it is flying through dappled lighting conditions, it appears to vanish and reappear. Its long legs, a characteristic of the family, is referred to in the common family name Crane Fly. Crane flies frequently lose legs, and a normal Phantom Crane Fly, or any insect for that matter, should have six legs.
Thank you for answering. It was really kool to see the answer to what bug it was.
What kind of insect is this?
Location: North Texas, Denton Conty
July 9, 2011 1:31 pm
Found this insect on the windowsill. Never seen one before and just curious what it is?
Signature: George
Hanging Thief
Hi George,
This is a Robber Fly in the genus Diogmites, and they are called by the common name Hanging Thieves.
giant wasp, hornet?
Location: ebbw vale, south wales
July 7, 2011 2:50 pm
Hi, I noticed this massive bug that landed on my car I wondered what it was. It looked like a massive wasp at first glance, and some people I showed the photo to said it was a hornet, although I am not convinced. Please help identify the bug. Regards Gareth
Signature: gareth
Horse Fly
Hi Gareth,
This is a Horse Fly and she is a female, which means she is a blood sucker. Male and female Horse Flies can be distinguished by the eyes. The eyes of the male are closer together while the eyes of the female are separated. While we don’t know the exact species, we can tell you that Horse Flies are in the family Tabanidae. The UK Safari website has a nice general page with information.
Upstate New York
Location: New York
July 7, 2011 1:52 pm
I saw this bug in Upstate New York – I feel clueless as I bet it’s a very common insect I just don’t know.
Signature: Needing help from the Bugman
Tachinid Fly
Dear Needing help …,
This is a Tachinid Fly, a member of the family Tachinidae. Tachinid Flies are parasites on other insects and they are considered highly beneficial. We believe with some certainty that your fly is Belvosia borealis which we identified on BugGuide, however, the most distinguishing feature, the yellow markings on the abdomen, are not visible in your photograph because of the angle of view.
Small fly type bug
Location: Colorado Springs CO
July 7, 2011 12:39 pm
A friend gave me a Meyer lemon tree and it is now blooming. The blooms are very fragrant and are attracting these very small yellow and black fly type insects. They look like a type of fly to me but maybe they are a bee? Thanks for any help identifying it.
Signature: Eva Seifert
I think I may have found out what it is, a grass fly.
Grass Fly
Hi Eva,
Congratulations on identifying your Grass Fly in the genus Thaumatomyia. Both the genus and family, Chloropidae, the Frit Flies, are new to our site. We verified your identification on BugGuide which indicates the larvae feed on Aphids. Perhaps that is why the fly is attracted to your lemon.
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