Sunday, October 20, 2013

Golden-backed Snipe Fly

Golden-backed Snipe Fly
 Like many people I am not a big of flies. There are approximately 120,000 species of flies in the world and most of the ones that I have encountered are not on my friends list. In my experience many fly species are parasitic. They bite mammals, birds, and people and drink some of their blood. During the summer the deer and black flies in the northern two thirds of Minnesota can be almost unbearable. Then there are house flies that are always trying to raise their maggots in your food and garbage. However I did come across this rather cool looking fly in the southeastern corner of the state. The golden-backed snipe fly is native to eastern portions of North America. I am guessing that Minnesota is on the edge of their range because I have only seen these flies once in my 50 long years of life. There is not a lot of information available about this species, or most insects for that matter, but it is believed to be a predator that eats other insects instead of a parasite. So not only does it look great but it is also less biting.



11 comments:

Jama said...

Lovely captures!

Andrea said...

It is so beautiful in photo, however as long as it is called a fly, somehow it closes a liking valve in the consciousness! haha

Unknown said...

Glad to know this is not one of the nasty ones:) Great capture!

Katrin Klink said...

Wow, great capture!

Edna B said...

What a great photo! Thank you for sharing.

Sivangj said...

Great capture.
Look so great but cant say I like them much

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI great shot of the fly.

Laura said...

excellent macro!!!

Anonymous said...

Not a fan of flies either, but they make good photo subjects. This is a great shot.

Hannah said...

This not a fly I have ever seen, it is interesting with the golden hairs on its back and the smoky dark wings.

lorik said...

Your creatures are always so intriguing...and beautiful too...and imagine...it is a fly! Thanks for sharing on MoM#64:)