Very Odd Whatsit - Lutzomyia

Phlebotominae. formerly Lutz

Phlebotominae. formerly Lutzomyia (classification has been significantly altered in the past 20 years). This is a female, so it's a blood-feeder. For most phlebotomines, it's impossible to ID to species without slide mounting or sequencing their DNA.
As pointed out in another comment, Psathyromyia shannoni (= L. shannoni) is commonly recorded in the southeast USA... This one looks most like P. shannoni as far as the body shape is concerned, but there is no way to be sure based on the photo alone.
If you'd like any of the literature for this group, please contact me directly and I will send it to you.

… Gregory R. Curler, 25 July, 2015 - 11:30am

Moved

Moved from Flies.

… John F. Carr, 18 September, 2012 - 6:52pm

Luztomyia?

Compare Lutzomyia (not yet in the Guide, but on the internet). I need to do some reading.

… John F. Carr, 18 September, 2012 - 6:22pm

Very cool

our first sand fly in the guide?

… Brad Barnd, 18 September, 2012 - 6:31pm

Very odd

The long coxae (bases of legs), lack of tibial spurs, and five normal sized tarsomeres are consistent with the Cecidomyiidae (exclusive of the true gall midges), but the wing veins might be wrong. Do you have any more pictures from other angles?

Maybe one of the narrow-winged Psychodidae instead.

… John F. Carr, 18 September, 2012 - 6:19pm

Sorry, but this was

the single moment I could capture with this guy. I haven't seen it again, but I am prepared for it, now. If your suspicions pan out, would this species be considered warm-weather-only?

… Jon Hart, 18 September, 2012 - 6:52pm

Probably warm weather

I suspect these are like most flies, being found most often in late spring and less often from spring through fall.

The most common species of the Southeast is L. shannoni. I won't attempt a species ID from the photo.

… John F. Carr, 18 September, 2012 - 6:55pm

That's fine, John...

at least now I have a direction to go if I should run into it again. As well, I am more prepared for its idiosyncratic behaviour towards being photographed....strange bird, indeed...Thanks!

… Jon Hart, 18 September, 2012 - 7:30pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Brad Barnd, 18 September, 2012 - 5:54pm