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Project Noah Nature School
Telostylinus sp.
Telostylinus (Enderlein, 1922), called Banana-stalk Flies or Cactus Flies, in Neriidae family of true flies (Diptera) closely related to the Micropezidae. The family was earlier treated as subfamily of the Micropezidae which are often called Stilt-legged Flies. Neriidae are slender, long-legged flies. Many species are sexually dimorphic, with males having more elongated bodies, heads, antennae and legs than females. Neriid flies are saprophagous. Larvae develop in rotting vegetable matter, including bark and fruit. Neriid adults tend to aggregate on rotting vegetable matter or damaged tree trunks. Neriid adults are also attracted to flowers, or other sources of sugar.
Backyard, spotted at the trunk of a banana tree.
Related spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/163... Reference: http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Animalia/Telos... Compare with images of Stypocladius appendiculatus (Telostylus decemnotatus) - http://gaga.biodiv.tw/9501bx/972.htm http://nature.hc.edu.tw/vbb../showthread...
Spotted on Feb 13, 2013
Submitted on Mar 1, 2013
6 Comments
Very interesting. Great series too.
I always love UPLB, not only because of its Science courses, but also because I spent many of my childhood summertime in LB and UPLB's botanical garden :). I had to choose a technical course though in another college (long story for the reason...) BGL is a great boss btw.
Hi Agnes, i searched your name because i admired your photos, thought you're from UPLB. I saw where you're working, i have to say the former Country Director there and partner (BGL) is a very close friend.
Thanks Leuba :)
Thanks Andrea for sharing your observation. I have not seen their eggs yet. :)
Great photos of this fly and interesting information, Agnes. Thanks
I always see this in citrus tree barks with the oozing sap caused by other pathogens. I thought it is one of those which lay eggs on the sap.