Predatory Fungus Fly - Macrocera

Possibly same as...

Resembles this one from Washington; yours might be the female.

… John F. Carr, 31 December, 2011 - 7:05pm

Yes

they certainly do look similar. Thanks John.

… Lynette Elliott, 4 January, 2012 - 9:52am

Moved

Moved from Predatory Fungus Gnats.

… Lynette Elliott, 4 August, 2009 - 9:15pm

Well...

Typically I would agree with your ID except for one problem - where are the halteres if it is a fly? Could they be there and I'm just not seeing them? The wings (need four if a wasp) do not look typical of an ichneumon in any event, even though the rest of the body certainly might. The resting position is also very un-ichneumon-like. It seems clear that there are only two wings in this image.

… Ross Hill, 5 November, 2008 - 5:03pm

I did the same thing

first I thought wasp, couldn't match it and then resorted to my field guides. Then I found this fly, and couldn't see any halteres in any of my pics. I chalked it up to they must be hidden. It certainly flies more like a gnat than a wasp as well.

… Lynette Elliott, 5 November, 2008 - 8:07pm

Hidden halteres.

They 'are' hidden. Stalked, and the part usually visible is obscured by light reflecting off the wings. Moving this to the family page for now.

… Eric R. Eaton, 9 December, 2008 - 2:27pm

great,

Thanks Eric.

… Lynette Elliott, 9 December, 2008 - 2:37pm

Odd...

Lynette, can you provide an approximate size?

… Ross Hill, 5 November, 2008 - 12:49pm

size

approximately 10 mm.

… Lynette Elliott, 5 November, 2008 - 1:34pm