Macro A couple pretty flies

A couple pretty flies · **5 Likes**

The Elderberry bushes really did attract some interesting flies. We removed them, though, they were just too big for the area.

Mallota bautias on elderberry 063020
A bumblebee-mimic syrphid fly

Spilomyia alcimuson on elderberry 063020-2
A striking "hornet fly"

**Charlie Victor** · 02-26-2021, 09:32 AM

Nice shots! That hornet fly could certainly fool me from a few feet away!

**TER-OR** · 02-26-2021, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by Charlie Victor

Nice shots! That hornet fly could certainly fool me from a few feet away!

There's a related species, with more black which looks very much like a potter wasp.

These flies even move their forelegs around like vespula species antennae. They're black too, which should make it more convincing.

That close shot might be the first I've ever seen occeli on a fly. Those are the three large eyes atop the head, which are thought to aid in either navigation and/or threat detection. I didn't think flies had those.

**Charlie Victor** · 02-27-2021, 08:58 AM

Thank you for all the extra information! Nature is awesome and I learn something new every day.
Best.

TER-OR
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02-26-2021, 09:32 AM	#2
Charlie Victor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Durban Photos: Albums Posts: 1,223	Nice shots! That hornet fly could certainly fool me from a few feet away!

02-26-2021, 10:09 AM	#3
TER-OR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,576 Original Poster	Originally posted by Charlie Victor Nice shots! That hornet fly could certainly fool me from a few feet away! There's a related species, with more black which looks very much like a potter wasp. These flies even move their forelegs around like vespula species antennae. They're black too, which should make it more convincing. That close shot might be the first I've ever seen occeli on a fly. Those are the three large eyes atop the head, which are thought to aid in either navigation and/or threat detection. I didn't think flies had those.

02-27-2021, 08:58 AM	#4
Charlie Victor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Durban Photos: Albums Posts: 1,223	Thank you for all the extra information! Nature is awesome and I learn something new every day. Best.

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