4 Snout fly at Yarralumla, ACT
Identification history
| Stomorhina discolor | 17 Apr 2026 | MichaelMulvaney | ||
| Stomorhina discolor | 17 Apr 2026 | TimL |
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User's notes
The fly’s amazing eyes are dichoptic (they don’t meet at the medial dorsal line of the head) which I understand identifies this as a female. (Males have holoptic eyes which meet at the medial dorsal line, a feature that apparently helps them to detect and pursue females during in-flight courtship). I understand that the intricate coloured patterns of the eyes have functions including acting as optical filters (similar to sunglasses) and being sensitive to different light wavelengths, which helps with colour perception and object identification. This appears to be natural selection at work, enhancing the fly’s chance of survival and thereby reproduction. Thanks to Barbara for the initial sighting.
2 comments
Jennybach
wrote:
17 Apr 2026
Wow. Looks almost like it’s wearing an embossed silver headpiece and thorax protector. Great description of its finely tuned and stunning eyes thanks.
HelenCross
wrote:
20 Apr 2026
I've noticed their amazing eyes before but didn't know that extra info - thanks Tim!
Location information
- Coordinates 149.068526-35.288244
- Altitude 556.1m
- Maps National Arboretum Forests
- Places Yarralumla, ACT
Sighting information
- 1 Abundance
- 16 Apr 2026 11:55 AM Recorded on
- TimL Recorded by
-
Collections
TimL NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Stomorhina discolor Other true flies True flies (Diptera) Insects
Additional information
- 12mm to 25mm Animal size
- True Insect on a flower
Species information
- Stomorhina discolor Scientific name
- Snout fly Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 815.04m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes