Fly with black and white abdomen…
December 23, 2009
I saw this Fly on the base of my porch light… most of the body of this fly is black or is of a dark color except the abdoman which has white stripes.
The temp. was around 25 degrees outside… the season is winter…
LoLo Monae
Roanoke Virginia
Dear LoLo,
Though we cannot find a match on BugGuide, we believe this is some species of Tachinid Fly. Tachinid Flies parasitize other insects including caterpillars, and they are important biological controls for pest species.
Karl believes this is a Fungus Infection
I don’t know what kind of fly this is, is but think its flashy appearance could be due to a fungal infection, perhaps by Entomophthora muscae. There are numerous photos on the internet that look very similar to this this. The white banding occurs as the fungus bursts out between the abdominal segments (presumably just before the victim expires). For more information you could check out: http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/features/insects/entomophthora/entomophora.htm or check out the photos at: http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/09/07/mystery-fly-and-crumby-internet-connections/
Karl
I don’t know what kind of fly this is, is but think its flashy appearance could be due to a fungal infection, perhaps by Entomophthora muscae. There are numerous photos on the internet that look very similar to this this. The white banding occurs as the fungus bursts out between the abdominal segments (presumably just before the victim expires). For more information you could check out: http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/features/insects/entomophthora/entomophora.htm or check out the photos at: http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/09/07/mystery-fly-and-crumby-internet-connections/
this is really weird. but it is cool.
ive just found 2 of these in my garden
I just caught one of these alive. Who can I send it too?
You may send it to anyone who wants it. We do not want it.
I vote Fungus….Ive seen 2 that I remember and they are always dead. Went out on my deck for coffee this morning and 1 laying on the table, nothing around it, dead.
July 23 of 2021 I found one in my kitchen. I have it in a plastic bag.