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Photo#1738437
Pyrgotidae Fly? - Physoconops excisus - female

Pyrgotidae Fly? - Physoconops excisus - Female
Lutterloh, Leon County, Florida, USA
October 11, 2019
Size: 12mm
Apalachicola National Forest, restored pine flatwoods, planted primary with loblolly with patches of slash from former commercial plantation. Various fall follage in bloom, ah choo! Found this specimen at midday head deep in a flower (I can't identify.)

I'm curious about the eyes. I've only collected one other example from this family (assuming this one is Pyrgotidae too), and their eyes appeared to collapse in both examples when time came to photograph them. This specimen had been dispatched for only four hours before photographing. Has other bugguide members had similar experience with this phenomenon? Thanks.

Moved
Moved from Physoconops.

Appears to have a complete (i.e. uninterrupted) post-vertical (white) pollinose stripe...a critical diagnostic character for P. excisus (cf. here).

The huge theca of this female as well as patterning (e.g. the humeral and pleural pollinose markings) also support P. excisus.

(I have no explanation for the collapsed eyes.)

Thick-headed fly
At least I got the order right! This is a new family for me. Thanks for the identification and broadening my insect horizons.

Moved
Moved from Thick-headed Flies.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Reminds me more of Conopidae.
Reminds me more of Conopidae... can't comment on the collapsed eyes but I've had it happen to specimens, especially if they get too dry too quickly I think?