Identification
About the size of a house fly with distinctive smoky-colored wings and gold patch on upper thorax.
Season
Spring. April-May (North Carolina).
Food
Adults are alleged to be predatory on other insects, but they may feed little (see remarks).
Life Cycle
Details unknown. This fly is observed in early to mid-spring perched quietly on low vegetation in deciduous woodlands.
Remarks
I have encountered this species frequently in deciduous woodlands in the Piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina. It flies in early to mid-spring (March to May). I have always encountered it perched quietly on low herbs or shrubs. It seems to perch for long periods of time, doing little. I have never observed it feeding.
The coloration (dark wings, gold thorax)is perhaps mimicry of a hymenopteran. Another Chrysopilus species (see Milne and Milne, below) appears to be a very good hymenopteran mimic, with a prominently striped abdomen.
Chrysopilus means "golden-hair" and thoracicus refers to the golden patch on the thorax, presumably.
Print References
Lutz,
Field Book of American Insects. (1)
A related
Chrysopilus species is illustrated in Milne and Milne.
(2) They use the common name "Golden-backed Snipe Fly".
Marshall, p. 445--color photo
(4)
Eaton and Kaufman, p. 286-287, color photo
(5)Internet References
USDA-SEL has Mark Cassino's excellent photo of a mating pair.
Contributed by
Cotinis on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Last updated 24 May, 2007 - 7:54pm
