Subject: Fly?
Geographic location of the bug: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: 01/03/2020
Time: 02:55 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Is this a fly of some sort?
How you want your letter signed: Bruce Carlson
Dear Bruce,
This is a gorgeous image of a Stilt Legged Fly in the family Micropezidae. We believe we have correctly identified it as Rainieria antennaepes thanks to this BugGuide image. Of the family, BugGuide notes “Adults of some species are attracted to rotting fruit or dung; in other species adults are predaceous; larvae saprophagous.” Your image has documented feeding, though we are not certain what has comprised the meal, though based on the BugGuide food information, either “rotting fruit or dung” appears to be a possibility.
Thanks Dan for the identification. I should have mentioned in my message that my wife took the photograph, but she’s happy to see it posted on your website!
Bruce Carlson