Scuttle Fly - Megaselia scalaris

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Photo#243236

Copyright © 2008 Lynn Bergen

Scuttle Fly - Megaselia scalaris -

Baiting Hollow, Suffolk County, New York, USA
December 4, 2008
Size: 2 mm (body)

Found around the kitchen sink.
I think this is a fly but I've never seen one with this face.
This fly has a squat posture and looks a bit sneaky.
This image shows hairs at the perimeter of the eye and "combs" on the back legs.

Images of this individual: tag all

Contributed by Lynn Bergen on 4 December, 2008 - 8:03pm
Last updated 7 December, 2009 - 3:43pm

Thanks Tom and Eric.

Can you tell what gender this is and what the structure with 2 "hairs" at the distal end is?

… Lynn Bergen, 5 December, 2008 - 5:35am

Proctiger

The hair-bearing structure is the proctiger of the male genitalia. It is located immediately below the cerci. I agree with the species ID.

… Matthias Buck, 5 December, 2008 - 8:58am

Looks like a Phorid fly

Something like this one. I'm no expert, but maybe Matthias Buck can tell you for sure.

… tom murray, 4 December, 2008 - 9:11pm

Not Matthias, but....

Indoors, Megaselia scalaris is far and away the most common species. Great images!

… Eric R. Eaton, 5 December, 2008 - 12:41am

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