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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Calyptratae » Oestroidea » Flesh Flies (Sarcophagidae) » Satellite Flies (Miltogramminae)
Photo#33696
Fly stalking cat
Copyright © 2005 Herschel Raney

Fly stalking cat
Mayflower, Bell Slough, Faulkner County, Arkansas, USA
October 3, 2005
Size: 5mm
This small fly was intently following an Ammophila wasp that was carrying a caterpillar. When the cat was dropped the fly stayed nearby. I never saw it approach or do anything else to the caterpillar.
Contributed by Herschel Raney on 4 October, 2005 - 5:19pm
Last updated 25 October, 2005 - 6:31pm

Satellite fly.
Great image of a "satellite fly," one of the Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. I'm aware of the behavior you describe, but not well-versed on the entire life cycle.
… Eric R. Eaton, 4 October, 2005 - 6:01pm

 
Similar one with Eremnophila
This looks to be a closely-related fly, stalking the closely-related Eremnophila:
… Cotinis, 18 July, 2008 - 3:18pm

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