Fly With a Round Head - Cephalops

Cephalops sp.

Moved from Big-headed flies to new genus page as per Jeff's ID.

… Robin McLeod, 11 February, 2007 - 8:08pm

Thanks and ID

Many thanks for comments on this interesting fly. I sought out an ID some time ago from the Nearctic expert on the family, Jeff Skevington, and he was kind enough to reply. I have been remiss about not getting the ID posted here. Anyhow, here it is (I had asked about determining the sex too):

"Great photo! It is a female of the genus Cephalops. The sexes are pretty easy to tell apart. Females have an obvious ovipositor (seen in lateral view so not in your photo) and are dichoptic (eyes separated). Males have the eyes joined in all but one genus (Nephrocerus) and a few oddball species." --Jeff Skevington.

… Stephen_WV, 31 October, 2006 - 4:04am

genus

I think this is Nephrocerus, which would be a very cool find

… Keith Bayless, 30 October, 2006 - 7:09pm

Pipunculidae

Awesome - I think we do not have this family in the guide. It is a Pipunculidae, they are supposed to be the sister group of Syrphidae and they are all parasites in leafhoppers and planthoppers. They are called (for obviouse reason) Big-headed flies.

… Martin Hauser, 28 July, 2006 - 1:25pm

Thank-you Martin

Thank-you, Martin. My first thought was Syrphidae, but it didn't look quite right. Always exciting to have a new family for BugGuide. Thanks for the ID!

… Stephen_WV, 28 July, 2006 - 3:12pm