Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua

A flower-feeding march fly at Lawson, ACT

Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua at Lawson, ACT - 15 Feb 2025 04:35 PM
Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua at Lawson, ACT - 15 Feb 2025 04:35 PM
Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua at Lawson, ACT - 15 Feb 2025 04:35 PM
Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua at Lawson, ACT - 15 Feb 2025 04:35 PM
Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua at Lawson, ACT - 15 Feb 2025 04:35 PM
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Identification history

Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua 17 Feb 2025 MichaelMulvaney
Scaptia (Scaptia) auriflua 17 Feb 2025 TimL

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User's notes

The third image shows the male fly’s compound eyes. Close inspection of the photoreceptor cells making up the compound eyes shows that there are ocular hairs growing from the space between the cells. These can be seen in a number of insects including flies and bees and I understand they serve various purposes including helping to protect the eyes by creating a layer of relatively stagnant air at the eye surface, and also helping with detecting airflow direction during flight. The ocular hairs are quite tiny and easier to see when the eye is viewed edge on, as seen in the final two images.

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size
  • Male Gender
  • Deceased Animal health

Species information

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  • More than one media file
  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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