What’s this fly?
December 27, 2009
Came across this handsome fella while staying at a chalet in the Taman Negara rainforest in Malaysia. It was hanging around some fruit I had on the table. Pix were shot yesterday. (Dec 27)
I’m pretty certain it is of genus Drosophila. Would you happen to know the species?
Chan Lee Meng
Kelantan, Malaysia
Dear Chan Lee Meng,
We disagree with your assessment that this handsome fly is in the genus Drosophila, but we do believe it is a Fruit Fly in the family Tephritidae. We do not feel qualified to take the identification any further than the family level, but perhaps one of our readers will be able to supply an answer.
Update: March 30, 2014
A comment has directed us to this link and the correction that this is a Signal Fly.
A Scholastes fly (Platystomatidae).
They love ripe fruits as much as fruit flies.
Thanks for the correction and also for your other comments on creatures from Borneo and Malaysia.
A Scholastes fly (Platystomatidae).
They love ripe fruits as much as fruit flies.
Platystomatidae is correct. Also known as a Signal Fly. Common in Singapore too. They have a very curious diagonal dancing movement when they walk.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davegball/12543960034/
Thank you for the correction and link. We have updated the posting.
Platystomatidae is correct. Also known as a Signal Fly. Common in Singapore too. They have a very curious diagonal dancing movement when they walk.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davegball/12543960034/