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Photo#585040
Before frassing...what happened to this fly?
Copyright © 2011 Carl Barrentine

Before frassing...what happened to this fly?
Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, USA
October 6, 2011
Size: Length ~ 5-6 mm
I found three of these flies, all appearing to be the same (unknown) species, all dead, and exhibiting distented abdomens. All were affixed to some vertical substrate (this one on glass, and the other two on walls), and the proximal area around each fly was littered with a yellowish 'dust'. I've not observed this before, so I'm hoping that some one out there has. Is this evidence of parasitism? Thanks for any hints! ;-)
Contributed by Carl Barrentine on 7 October, 2011 - 2:41pm
Last updated 10 October, 2011 - 7:28pm

Moved
Moved from Flies.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 10 October, 2011 - 7:28pm

Parasitism- by fungus
This isn't that uncommon, judging by the number of images posted. Charley Eiseman has collected them together here
… Chuck Entz, 7 October, 2011 - 3:37pm

 
Thanks, Chuck!
Very fascinating! I'll give more photographic attention to this phenomenon in the future!
… Carl Barrentine, 7 October, 2011 - 5:45pm

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