Green Bottle Fly - Lucilia

Maybe your photo's too good? LOL.

It certainly looks better than many of the green bottle fly shots we have here. That's what I think you've got, perhaps Lucilia like this one:

Eyes are smaller on yours since it is a female.

(Flies are generally shot from above, which further complicates comparisons with your photo. Wing veins can be very important.)

… Ron Hemberger, 6 August, 2008 - 10:22am

Thanks Ron

for ID and extra information.

I always do try to take multiple views since I really don't which view will have the important information for the species. Sometimes they just get away.

How can you tell the gender of this fly?

Thanks again, I'm new here, some day I hope to know enough to help out.

… Lynn Bergen, 6 August, 2008 - 5:39pm

Looks like my eyes aren't doing very well.

The example I linked to above is also female. Check these two images and the description on the first one.

Male, larger eyes:

Female:

On some flies, syrphids for instance, the male's eyes touch at the top. The way to seat this in your mind - or to double-check what's what - is to look for images of mating pairs.

Most people here - me definitely included - are eager to help. So ask away!

… Ron Hemberger, 6 August, 2008 - 6:49pm

Interesting about male eyes b

Interesting about male eyes being larger. I wonder why males need larger eyes.

I do have another question about this fly. I am curious about the white patch under the wings of these flies(not the halteres).

Thank you for your generous offer to help.
I have to warn you that I'm famous for asking questions.
I'll try not to wear you out with too many !!

I only realized recently the enormity of insect taxonomy and how so much is still unknown.

I am so happy to have found this large community that loves insects.

… Lynn Bergen, 7 August, 2008 - 1:11am

Large eyes ... in the words of The Big, Bad Wolf...

all the better to see you with, my dear. (I suspect they're an aid in finding a mate.)

White patches are calypters; there's even a group of flies named after them. More here:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/114118

Glad you're here!

… Ron Hemberger, 7 August, 2008 - 9:57am

Thanks Ron

I'm learning so much here. Even flies are starting to look beautiful.

… Lynn Bergen, 28 August, 2008 - 3:35am

...

(Duplicated by the system. It wasn't me, honest.)

… Ron Hemberger, 6 August, 2008 - 6:48pm