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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Acalyptratae » Tephritoidea » Pyrgotidae » Pyrgota » Waved Light Fly (Pyrgota undata)
Photo#52794
Is this a fly? - Pyrgota undata
Copyright © 2006 Leslie Durham

Is this a fly? - Pyrgota undata
Dixon, Phelps County, Missouri, USA
May 16, 2006
Size: about 1" wide x 3/4" high
This landed on my arm the other day. I coaxed him onto an envelope. It was a very calm insect and let me take several pictures, but would not let me get one from the side/front (I think the red light on my digital camera bothered it's eyes). It looked menacing, but appeared very docile. I tried to look it up (it appears to me to be a fly trying to mimic a wasp, but I couldn't find one like it in the flies). Thanks in advance for any help.
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Contributed by Leslie Durham on 18 May, 2006 - 10:30pm
Last updated 26 January, 2008 - 11:45am

Reminds us of
Pyrgota undata - Waved Light Fly. Check in the guide here
… john and jane balaban, 18 May, 2006 - 11:16pm login or register to post comments

 
I agree.
Nice image, too! These are really unique flies. The females accost adult May beetles in flight, forcing an egg between the beetle's abdominal segments. The larva that hatches consumes the beetle from the inside, eventually killing it.
… Eric R. Eaton, 19 May, 2006 - 3:37pm login or register to post comments

 
Thank You
Thanks a lot for the information! I'm kind of amazed that it was such a docile creature (glad I'm not a May beetle!) I find insects fascinating, but don't know much about them (yet). I am so glad I found this site, you all are wonderful!
… Leslie Durham, 21 May, 2006 - 12:51pm login or register to post comments

 
Wow! Thanks for the quick ID
Wow! Thanks for the quick ID, I looked and looked...I wish I had a better camera, the link you sent me to had much clearer pictures! (and I thought that was a good shot until I saw those)
Leslie D.
… Leslie Durham, 18 May, 2006 - 11:23pm login or register to post comments

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