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Photo#203253
White-legged insect on water lily - Hermetia illucens

White-legged insect on water lily - Hermetia illucens
Williamson County, Texas, USA
July 18, 2008
Size: 3/8 to 1/2 inch
This insect flew to a water-lily pad to drink while I was photographing a dragonfly; at first, I thought it was a black fly, but on looking closer noticed features that didn't seem to fit. I was unable to get clearer images than the two I'm posting before it flew away, and it was up-sun of me, so the reflections are bothersome. Once I had the images in the computer, the upper wing looked more opaque, more like elytra, but the front of the insect looked beelike. The white legs were obvious to the naked eye, even mine, against the green of the lily pad. Size is a guesstimate--bigger than a housefly.

Images of this individual: tag all
White-legged insect on water lily - Hermetia illucens White-legged insect on water lily - Hermetia illucens

Soldier fly.
Looks like something in the genus Hermetia, perhaps.

 
Thanks!
I found an image that looks a lot like mine did in real life, , Black Soldier Fly.

Thanks for the help.

 
Moved to Guide.
Moved to Guide.

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