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Friendly Tachnid(?) fly. Probably trying to lay eggs into my shoe. Good luck!
Found in Parque Arví, in the forested mountains just outside of Medellín, Colombia
from Wikipedia: Tachinid flies are extremely varied in appearance. Some adult flies may be brilliantly colored and then resemble blow-flies (family Calliphoridae). Most however are rather drab, some resembling house flies. However, Tachinid flies commonly are more bristly and more robust. Also, they usually have a characteristic appearance. They have three-segmented antennae, a diagnostically prominent postscutellum bulging beneath the scutellum (a segment of the mesonotum). They are aristate flies, and the arista usually is bare, though sometimes plumose. The calypters (small flaps above the halteres) are usually very large. Their fourth long vein bends away sharply. Adult flies feed on flowers and nectar from aphids and scale insects. As many species typically feed on pollen, they can be important pollinators of some plants, especially at higher elevations in mountains where bees are relatively few. The taxonomy of this family presents many difficulties. It is largely based on morphological characters of the adult flies, but also on reproductive habits and on the immature stage.
5 Comments
Sometimes I get lucky.. Thanks!
Fantastic macro!!
How vivd...Great macro!
Probably a tachnid... but my god, with such variation, how can one be certain? Thanks again, Cindy!
This is a Tachinid fly. It might be a species of Adejeania but it's only a guess. Please check out your local Tachinid flies and see what you find. Many times, a species or even genus isn't possible to determine as many are so similar.