Strange Pink Eyed Bug – With wings!
Location: Northern NJ – Essex County
October 3, 2011 9:29 am
Hi there,
I’m hoping you can identify the flying bug in this photo. I’ve never seen anything like this. I sent the pic to my friend who used to work in the park services and is now a science teacher and she had no idea what it was.
I took this pic on October 1st in the morning. I bug was hanging out on my friend’s car.
Thank you for any help!
Signature: Jessica L.

Picture Winged Fly
Hi Jessica,
This is a Picture Winged Fly in the family Ulidiidae, and we believe we have correctly identified it as Delphinia picta. According to BugGuide, it “Breeds in decaying organic matter, such as compost.”
1
¶ Posted 03 October 2011 § ‡ ° ant type insect with black wings
Location: Lexington, KY
May 7, 2011 1:11 pm
as of yesterday, I have many of these on both of my cars and walking along the front of my painted brick house and my neighbors stone house. (I live in Lexington, KY) Thanks for helping me to identify these and possibly assist me in treatment to use if they are destructive.
Signature: Diane Davis

Picture Winged Fly
Dear Diane,
The Picture Winged Fly, Delphinia picta, is a common species that according to BugGuide: “Breeds in decaying organic matter, such as compost.“ Perhaps you have a compost pile or a newly fertilized lawn that is causing the significant numbers of Picture Winged Flies near your home.

Picture Winged Fly
¶ Posted 08 May 2011 § ‡ ° Winged ant?
May 1, 2010
I have seen this insect many times in Texas. The wings are oriented in a peculiar way on the thorax. They fan out rather than lay flat on the back. What is this insect and does it sting? Perhaps it is a fly?
Taylor
Texas

Picture Winged Fly
Hi Taylor,
You have submitted an image of a Picture Winged Fly, Delphinia picta. According to BugGuide it: “Breeds in decaying organic matter, such as compost.“
Thank you for the speedy response! You have a wonderful website!
Best,
Taylor
¶ Posted 02 May 2010 § ‡ ° Mystery Fly
August 26, 2009
Hi, I’ve noticed some mysterious flies around my yard, and I’ve been unable to identify them. They don’t seem interested in the normal waste and rot that many regular flies like, and seem to be solitary. They have ferocious looking piercing mouthparts, and their overall shape reminds me of a military helicopter. Maybe that’s just me, though. I’ve been trying for weeks to get a picture, and they’ve eluded me — until this morning, when I found a dead one tangled in an old spider web. It’s slightly dessicated, but I believe there’s enough detail for an ID. I hope.
Chrissy
Trenton, NJ

Picture Winged Fly
Hi Chrissy,
We are happy your perseverance paid off. According to BugGuide, the Picture Winged Fly, Delphinia picta: “Breeds in decaying organic matter, such as compost.“
¶ Posted 26 August 2009 § ‡ °