Stilt-legged Fly

Description:

A common fly species from the Micropezidae family. A little longer than one centimeter.Could be a Mimegralla or Rainieria species. They are usually seen lifting one of their front legs like sensors. This species become less alert to their surroundings when they are mating. They also show territorial defense by attacking other small insects that enter it's leaf. I have observed one grab small ants that came near it using it's frontlegs and quickly throw them out of the leaf.

Habitat:

On bushes in an oil palm plantation here in Tawau, Sabah.

Notes:

Notice that it has a missing limb. >>>Map accuracy : 1km diameter.