Elissoma lauta

9 Soldier fly at suppressed

Elissoma lauta at suppressed - 23 Nov 2018
Elissoma lauta at suppressed - 23 Nov 2018
Elissoma lauta at suppressed - 23 Nov 2018
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Identification history

Elissoma lauta 3 Apr 2023 KimberiRP
Elissoma lauta 3 Apr 2023 Harrisi
Lagenosoma sp. (genus) 6 Dec 2018 michaelb
Lagenosoma sp. (genus) 5 Dec 2018 jgl
Unidentified 25 Nov 2018 Harrisi

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Significant sighting

18 Mar 2021

First record of a female of this rare fly species and Photos will be used in publication on group to which this species belong.

User's notes

Not sure if fly or wasp but was delighted to see an animal with pink in its colouration !

7 comments

KimPullen wrote:
   25 Nov 2018
Got to be a fly, but a good mimic of a braconid wasp. I suggest Stratiomyidae.
jgl wrote:
   6 Dec 2018
ID of Lagenosoma sp. (Stratiomyidae) was provided, is disseminated with permission, by Dr. Shaun L. Winterton (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PPD/staff/swinterton.html) on the 28th Nov 2018
Harrisi wrote:
   6 Dec 2018
Thanks JGL (and Kim) !
Harrisi wrote:
   14 Mar 2021
Dr. Shaun L. Winterton of USA is about to publish a paper on the group this insect belongs to and has requested I send him some pics for this paper. Some reasons (as excerpts) in our communications for this request are as follows:

"...just looked again, this is the previously unknown female of this rare species!"

"...amateur naturalists and photographers are encountering and photographing the most interesting stuff that us professional practitioners don't come across. I really like to include these great images in my papers, to promote the photo and the photographer, and to boost the appeal my papers (as they look much better than just dead bugs on pins)....."

"... Anyway, thanks for the images; that is such a rare fly, and looks totally different colours when alive. As I said, I'll send you a PDF when it is published..."

Some good quotes of how citizen science and science can collaborate successfully and respectfully :)

Also excellent that this creature turned up at STEP !
CathB wrote:
   14 Mar 2021
Great work Stuart!
HelenCross wrote:
   1 Apr 2021
Excellent Stuart!
KimberiRP wrote:
   3 Apr 2023
Elissoma lauta, in Stratiomyidae.

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Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 23 Nov 2018 05:16 PM Recorded on
  • Harrisi Recorded by

Additional information

  • Acacia sp. Associated plant
  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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