orange fly with spikes - Hystricia abrupta

Hystricia abrupta

It is a native Tachinidae fly found in the east, unlike the look-alike Adejeania vexatrix took by Tom Murry in the west, this one does not have the elongated mouth parts - Chen

… Chen Young, 28 September, 2005 - 3:00pm

Thanks ^_^ I haven't seen

Thanks ^_^ I haven't seen one since-glad we got good photo one of it.

Jo

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 28 September, 2005 - 3:31pm

Getting close

The subject of Tom Murray's photograph

seems close to your fly.

… David Moll, 26 September, 2005 - 1:04am

It does look similar to that

It does look similar to that one. I noticed the hairs seem to be placed differently on mine. More in little bunches and not in the body grooves (bet there's a name for those grooves-but I don't know it) Not sure if that makes a difference.

Thanks

Jo

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 26 September, 2005 - 12:01pm

Tachinidae.

Definitely a tachinid, not sure which genus or species.

… Eric R. Eaton, 26 September, 2005 - 11:52am

Thanks! The picture of the si

Thanks! The picture of the similar one posted here before I noted were from the western US. Do you think it's possible that this one came in on a truck or plant from the west-I ask as I have found a few insects that aren't usually found here. (according to my books anyway)

Jo

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 26 September, 2005 - 12:06pm

Same question

When I posted the thumbnail I was mindful of your local and I had the same question. I thought you would be able to tell us. Is there a garden center in your area etc.?.... Also, the thorax on your specimen looks gray-greenish while the thorax of the Colorado specimen I've been calling golden. And the abdomen of your specimen seems smaller, stubbier.

… David Moll, 26 September, 2005 - 10:57pm

Flower Center

Well, not far, about 15 miles is a Walmart with flowers and plants, and there are a few local flower supply type stores-plus alot of my neighbors and myself buy alot of plants from Walmart actually. Many I know are imported-not sure where from-some have contained snakes, frogs, spiders, etc. that I know aren't native to this area. I find myself fairly often finding and looking up odd things and finding they don't range here. Like "Sharpshooters" (Oncometopia nigricans)range says Florida-but they seem to be here too and becoming more common.

Just as a weird side note-at the place I worked-we got boxes in from N.Africa that had all kinds of little beasties in them from snakes to spiders to scorpions and a Huge scarab beetle. (alive mind you) So I'm mindful of accidental imports.

Jo

… Jo Ann Poe-McGavin, 26 September, 2005 - 11:24pm