Subject: Dinner Guest
Geographic location of the bug: Ventura, Ca
Date: 08/01/2018
Time: 10:15 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hello Bugman,
I was dining alfresco this evening, and st the end of the meal (ordered as take out from a local Palestinian deli/cafe, I noted a friend in my plate with what appeared to be a suction cup, enjoying some yogurt sauce on my plate.
I’m wondering who this might be??
How you want your letter signed: Melanie on the Irish Chain
Dear Melanie on the Irish Chain,
Was there any red wine consumed at your meal? This appears to be a Longhorn Cactus Fly, Odontoloxozus longicornis, and our very first posting of this species in 2007 included a comment from Michael W. that “Interesting that the adults like red wine.” Flies have mouths adapted to slurping up fluids, and you were very astute to notice its feeding habits. The Longhorn Cactus Fly is also represented on BugGuide and on the Natural History of Orange County site.
Fascinating! No red wine, but a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio were in very close proximity to the plate.