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Project Noah Nature School
Bromophila caffra
I never thought I would see a fly wearing a gas-mask... But again nature proved me wrong... Maximum 20 mm in size. Probably toxic and/or bad tasting. Iit is the only species in the genus, defined by the lack of ocelli in the adult flies (scars are sometimes visible where the ocelli should be), red (plastic looking) head, black body and wings. Adults vary considerably in size, specimens ranging from 12 - 22mm (body length) and 24 - 50 mm (wing span).
Meadowland, dry grass.
This fly has a particular taste. It prefers rotting tree trunks, bulbs, roots and fruit, dried flowers and dead grass stems. As breeding site they go for dung and/or fungus.
Thank you all for the positive and incredible nice comment of yours. You all are the best motivators!!! To learn macro photography requires a lot of patience, and I still have a long way to go. But I am happy how this series turned out. This fly deserved some closeups :)
Hej Ted! There you are :) Nice to see you here! I have to say that it was not me that found your article, it was Livan Escudero, who also did the ID suggestion! But I am happy you answered my e-mail :)
The common name is very suitable, and the more it is used, the more common it gets :D
Tina
I'm glad you found my article on the fly, and especially glad you like my proposed common name. "Buzzard signal fly" it is!
Ye Kel, it is strange and funny looking for sure :) They could probably cope with some gas as well :)
Thank you dear Adarsha, glad you liked it, even if it looks mean :)
Red Skull, Marvel. o.o
É a mosca mais incrível de todas, Cat. Sua cabeça me lembra aquelas máscaras de gás dos anos 50.
True, and the fact that it walks slow like a bug, rather than flying. And that male flies fight other male flies with a classic "duell". I think I have to try fo find more of those buddies!
What is unique is that the facial disc is more sculpted and developed than other insects.
Thank you Livan for the ID. The article in the ID is really interesting! I am so happy you found that one. And regarding the new common name, let us take it and make it work! I will update the spotting later on today :)
Gilma I kind of agree, it is beautiful in its own way.
Chief, it is dangerous to ohter Buzzard Signal Flies! They oviously fight eachother face to face. And it is a bit poisonous... But it is not dangerous enough for me not to cuddle with if I see it again :)
Louis... I think that some kind of alien must have been involved when this one was created!!! :) IT looks everything but normal!
Whoe! Teena what is this? A miniature Condor? Excellent find! Congrats! Looks a bit dangerous. :))
This is a member of the signal flies. *Please note that it apparently has no common name. I used the name the author of the article in the reference field suggests, because I like it. Awesome looking fly.
In a way it is a beautiful fly, pretty incredible face!! thanks for sharing, Tiz.
Spotted on Nov 3, 2013
Submitted on Nov 7, 2013
