Odd little bug (a fly)

paddler4

I found this one eating something from the leaves of a fern in the Adirondacks. Anyone know what it is? The eyes and halteres look like those of flies. Single shot, monopod, 50D, 100mm + 36mm extension, flash, 1/200, f/13, ISO 200.

Chrissiebeez_NL

have absolutely no idea but love the colours and what a cool bugger!

rhermans

Great capture

PeterD-2009

Very nice image paddler4.

I am not familiar with insects in the USA but this is definately a true fly (Diptera). It has only one pair of wings. My guess as to the family would be Heleomyzidae (small flies which are associated with decaying vegetable or animal matter) or Scathophaga (commonly known as dung flies).

May I suggest you visit the following site and pose your question there.
http://www.diptera.info/news.php

paddler4

Thanks. I checked quickly on that site after seeing your note, and there is one European species that is similar, although clearly not the same:

http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php?photo_id=6197

This particular one I have never noticed before, even though I have spent a lot of time in that area.

paddler4

Thanks to Peter's suggestion, I posted this picture on http://www.diptera.info/news.php and promptly got an identification:

Sciomyzidae. Probably Tetanocera

Sciomyzidae are marsh flies. Sure enough, the photo on wikipedia is nearly a dead ringer.

Lord Vetinari

LOvely capture - must admit I thought it was a Heleomyzidae too
Brian v.

GOLDENORFE

good marsh fly shot, well done
phil