Is this a Cuterebra fontinella? - Cuterebra buccata

Big Fly

Actually Jeff, you're correct about the beauty of this critter. I have been vigilantly watching my yard to see if I can capture a live specimen and take it to the lab for better shots. I regret not being able to capture this specimen. I'm pleased with the interest.

… Gerald K. Watson, 29 July, 2009 - 3:54pm

big fly

Very cool critters indeed. But wicked fast flyers so not easy to catch. They look like they are just sitting there, but they are taking it all in...and sizing you up to see if you are the right species of bunny. If you do find it again and can catch it, it is helpful to have shots of the face straight on, and the back end, ie last couple of tergites (segments). Helps nail down the ID but I am sure this is C. buccata.
The males may have leks, many bots do...ie the males all go to one spot to play king of the hill and female mate with the winners. Most leks are active from around 9 or 10am till noon. So worth going back to the area you saw yours and walk around high spots, or along streams, between the flight times above or close to the time you saw yours. Although to my knowledge a lek has not ever been found for this species. Leks are common for the western bots and very uncommon in the east. The western bots may just be at lower densities and need to lek to find each other? Still a lot of mystery to this group. Happy hunting.

… George "Jeff" Boettner, 29 July, 2009 - 4:43pm

Great minds...

… john and jane balaban, 29 July, 2009 - 3:03pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… john and jane balaban, 29 July, 2009 - 1:54pm

i tagged it to move the very same second...

… v belov, 29 July, 2009 - 1:56pm

Cuterebra buccata

Ugly! Come on! If Disney was looking for a new character, these guys would get my vote for cuteness!
This is clearly a rabbit bot by the red spots in the eyes. Interesting, as the eye pattern in your photo suggests C. lepusculi- a western species, but this specimen is clearly Cuterebra buccata by body markings. Some specimens of this fly hint at one long connected red spot in C. buccata eyes, so clearly the eye spots are variable. It is helpful to see a live shot, not just a pinned specimen. Thanks for posting it.
This fly is a parasite of Sylvilagus floridanus, usually found in the neck and shoulder, or the rump and hip of the rabbit. The three spots on the bots' cheek- with the lowest spot the largest helps to ID this species. It is relatively common in the eastern states, although adults are rarely seen and/or photographed.

… George "Jeff" Boettner, 29 July, 2009 - 1:42pm