long-legged fly

Description:

This is a long-legged fly (Dolichopodidae: Sciapodinae). Dolichopodid flies are mostly minute to small in size with bright metallic colors, mostly green or bronze. They usually have slender body and large eyes. They have [tapered?] long antennae. This specimen has particularly long antennae. Their legs are long so they have other common name long-legged flies. They are very good fliers but usually found resting on large green leaves. They are also found rest on tree trunks, muddy ground and river rocks. They are predatory. Adult Dolichopodid flies' mouthparts are modified for predation, but not elongated. They feed on smaller soft body insects such as aphids. Larvae are maggot-like. They are usually found in moist soil and under tree bark. They are either scavengers or predators of other insects larvae. http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...

Habitat:

Spotted on a banana leaf in a large semi-urban yard & garden next to a disturbed patch of remnant forest. This is in the equatorial tropics of northern New Guinea.

Notes:

"Like a long-legged fly upon the stream . His [Her] mind moves upon silence." --W. B. Yeats, Long-legged Fly http://poemshape.wordpress.com/2009/03/0...