Zion Fly - Paradejeania

Moved

Moved from Tachinidae.

… Keith Bayless, 7 May, 2007 - 7:54pm

This is probably Paradejeania

This is probably Paradejeania rutilioides, but it is too small to be sure

… Norm Woodley, 24 May, 2006 - 2:26pm

Thanks Dr. Woodley -

what taxonomic level do you think is "safe" for this image? Or should it be frassed?

… Ken Schneider, 8 April, 2009 - 12:39pm

Tachinid

Looks like a tachinid fly visiting a Broom Senecio (Senecio spartioides). At least some genera of Tachinids are among the numerous flies known to pollinate flowers. Some Tachinids possess relatively long proboscis with which to visit tubular flowers. Your fly probably has its proboscis,though not visible in this photo, in one of the tubular disk florets of the Senecio. The larvae of these flies,from my perspective with less appetizing life habits,are internal parasites of insects and other arthropods (Proctor, Yeo, & Lack.1996. The Natural History of Pollination. Timber Press).
How large is this fly? Based on the known length of the ligules (ray flowers), my guess is 12-14mm. Flies in the genus Bombyliopsis, which frequent the arid west, look similar.
I hope someone with more experience can make an identification.
By the way I'll be posting another large Tachinid.
H.Wisch

… Hartmut Wisch, 14 April, 2005 - 2:48pm

Photos of Bombyliopsis

Neat photo and information for that genus--Bombyliopsis. Also listed under synonym Hystricia at Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota, and yet another photo at Insects of Quebec.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 14 April, 2005 - 5:15pm

Tachinid

It looks like a Tachinid to me, but it is just a guess.

… Beatriz Moisset, 23 October, 2004 - 12:49pm

Correct guess!

Your guess is correct. It is a tachinid fly and not a bombyliid. The wing venation of Bombyliidae is entirely different.

I think it is a species of the genus Tachina or one of its close relatives.

Paul

http://www.diptera.info

… Paul Beuk, 25 October, 2004 - 3:12am

Bombyliid? (Bee-fly)

Looks like a bee fly to me. If (!) I'm correct on this, there are several very fuzzy genera that resemble this fly, including Anastoechus, Systoechus, Heterostylum.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 23 October, 2004 - 9:26am

Tachinid?

Looks to be some species of Tachinid fly, but I'm no expert...

-TD

… Tony DiTerlizzi, 23 October, 2004 - 8:54am