Trichophthalma nicholsoni

Nicholson's tangle-veined fly at Namadgi National Park

Trichophthalma nicholsoni at Namadgi National Park - 19 Dec 2023
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Identification history

Trichophthalma nicholsoni 20 Dec 2023 MichaelMulvaney
Unidentified 19 Dec 2023 RosD

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User's notes

Is it a bee, wasp, fly? No flowers on Indigofera but it seemed to be extracting sap from a small branch

3 comments

   20 Dec 2023
Only one pair of wings - so a fly
RosD wrote:
   20 Dec 2023
Thanks so much for the ID Michael
I’ll do some follow up reading!
So presume it is seeking moisture?
Abdomen is quite long and pointed
The Nursery Swamp walk was a delight - so many flowers and insects and a family of Gang gangs!
   20 Dec 2023
From my internet search I learn that Tangle-vein flies have a proboscis very similar to that of butterflies long and flexible that they use to such up nectar so either moisture or sap. Seeing gang-gangs in Namadgi is pretty rare, if you come across them again can you please look out for any distinguishing features of birds present, such as pink spots on the cheeks of the females or stunted male crests that would be great. As would any sightings of Gang-gangs in or around hollows

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 19 Dec 2023 09:52 AM Recorded on
  • RosD Recorded by

Additional information

  • On branch, leaf of Indigofera australis with proboscis evident - not flowering Associated plant
  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size
  • Unknown Gender
  • Alive / healthy Animal health

Species information

Record quality

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  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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