Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#1496537
Anastrepha ludens - female

Anastrepha ludens - Female
McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, Texas, USA
February 24, 2018

Sterile Release
Great picture!

That fly there looks like one of the sterile release flies that are bred in McAllen, TX by USDA. The pink dot on the frons is from the fluorescent powdered die they put all over the pupae. When the pupae emerge, the wet ptilinum gets covered by the powder so when the ptilinum is retracted into the head, the fluorescent die is trapped there, too. In some specimens, the die is so faint that you need an ultraviolet light to verify the presence of the die which fluoresces green.

 
Very cool
Thanks for the information, Garrett!