Posted by Stephen on 14-04-2011 10:11
#1
Using Stephen Marshall's book, Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity, I have tentatively IDd this as Prochyliza xanthostoma. I was going to post it in the gallery but wanted to double-check the ID.
On a bear carcass, 10 April 2011, West Virginia USA, 4.9 mm from the front of the eyes to the apex of the wing.
Posted by Stephen on 14-04-2011 10:23
#2
Many of these flies were present. Some, like the one in this picture, were on Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus.
I couldn't tell if they were there because the plant smells like carrion, or because the bear carcass was only half a meter away. Probably both. But the male flies were skirmishing, seemingly defending territories on the plant. (I didn't see or photography any females, unfortunately.)
Posted by Stephen on 14-04-2011 10:26
#3
Lateral view, the fly posed on Skunk Cabbage. Wonderful shape of the head!