Bird of Paradise Fly

Description:

Also known as Giant Scale Insect, the males have wings and are much smaller than females, which look grub-like. This specimen was about 7-8mm in body length. Due to the long waxy filaments that protrude from the tip of the abdomen, in flight, they look like the seeds of dandelions carried by the wind. The hind wings are greatly reduced, giving them the appearance of a true fly (Diptera).

Habitat:

Dry forest of mainly Marri (Corymbia calophylla) and (Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata), in the southwest of Western Australia.

Notes:

They belong in the family Margarodidae.