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Project Noah Nature School
Lucilia cuprina
A very metallic looking fly in blue or green and about 15mm long. Resting on broad acacia leaf on a dull and windy day.
In a local nature reserve. Kings.
These flies were the bane of sheep farmers in Australia. The maggots feed on carrion or live sheep. These adult flies feed on nectar.
family: CALLIPHORIDAE
subfamily: Luciliinae
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:b...
Spotted on Jan 10, 2015
Submitted on Jan 11, 2015
3 Comments
I found my first ever stalk eyed flies this year. BUT, they have been right in front of me all the time. I just didn't see them!
Dave
Thanks Dave. Yes although some of the dipterans are incredible pests the group as a whole is truly fascinating. I might try a little harder on them too. This summer in Aus I have seen some fabulous species zoom past but not been able to snap them. Got to work out some new strategies. I noticed in the bush the other day that I'm getting better at recognising the different 'buzz' of various species without seeing them. I suppose that's a good sign? (lol)
Woa! 15mm - that is HUGE! Great shot, so sharp and clear.
I have been snapping quite a few flies of late. Flies tend to be overlooked on my bug safaris, but they are very interesting when you get up close. So, I have decided to make more of an effort.
The only problem is ID is such a pain. One of the reasons that I tend to ignore them is because of the hours spent in the past trying to get an ID.
Even today's mantis has taken two years to ID, then I realized that it was the first instar of a mantis that I see nearly every day - Pfft!
Dave