Redheaded fly - Inopus rubriceps

Much more interesting and thorough information than...

...I had hoped for! Though pictured here on something else I encountered it most often on a type of grass that grows in long thin blades in clumps, something like what you sometimes see growing in sand dunes. I was surprised by the number of flies and bugs that this almost waste high grass attracts! Thanks for the information!

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 11 January, 2008 - 1:35pm

If interested in what the grass looks like...

...I will put a link to a photo of it that you could past into your browser:

This links to the large size (probably 1280px wide)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2082799921_6b99bd7194_o.jpg

This links to the same photo, but gives you more size options to view the photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2082799921&size=o

(Sorry, but I don't know how to make it an actual link - I'm a bit lacking in internet skills!)

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 11 January, 2008 - 4:09pm

Try this:

HTML (works on any web page):
<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2082799921_6b99bd7194_o.jpg">large size (probably 1280px wide)</a>

large size (probably 1280px wide)

BBcode (works on BugGuide and on sites with similar software):

[URL]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2082799921_6b99bd7194_o.jpg[/URL]
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2082799921_6b99bd7194_o.jpg

or

[URL=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2082799921_6b99bd7194_o.jpg]large size (probably 1280px wide)[/URL]

large size (probably 1280px wide)

For more information, look at "Markup" under the "Help" tab

… Chuck Entz, 12 January, 2008 - 11:37pm

Thanks, that really helps!

These methods will work fine here, I will see what else I can find out under "Markup", Thanx!

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 13 January, 2008 - 1:35am

Eric, Dennis - more info.

Eric Eaton: I have added info to my bio page. Dennis Haines - thanks for the kind words. Glad to see all your nice contributions to BugGuide in recent weeks. Did you hear that I am now retired (effective end of 2007)?
Cheers, Eric

… Eric Fisher, 11 January, 2008 - 1:14pm

I had heard rumors that you w

I had heard rumors that you were on the way to bigger and better things in the near future. So the future has arrived! I hope this means you'll have more time to hunt insects.

… Dennis Haines, 11 January, 2008 - 1:17pm

Congratulations, Mac

You've logged another Bug Guide first. If an editor sees this, a new page is required.

… Ron Hemberger, 11 January, 2008 - 12:09pm

Female - Additional info

There is additional info at an Australian website here: http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/beef/3323.html

… Stephen Schueman, 11 January, 2008 - 11:07am

Australian sod fly

This is Inopus rubriceps (Stratiomyiidae), an Australian fly accidentally introduced into the USA (California) over 50 years ago. It was first found in San Francisco, and from there has slowly spread to adjacent counties in the SF Bay area -- where it seems to be restricted to today. This fly feed on grasses, and is a moderate sod pest in California, and a sugarcane pest in the Australian area.

… Eric Fisher, 11 January, 2008 - 9:54am

Excellent information.

Eric, do you mind filling out your bio page, please? You obviously "know your stuff," but we want users to be able to verify that by seeing our individual credentials. Thank you.

… Eric R. Eaton, 11 January, 2008 - 11:11am

Eric is the primary Dipterist

Eric is the primary Dipterist for CDFA at their Sacramento Identification Lab. He does indeed know his stuff!

… Dennis Haines, 11 January, 2008 - 11:36am