Golden-backed Snipe Fly - Chrysopilus thoracicus

This fly has a very distinctive patch of golden hair on its thorax. It was about 15 mm long, had dark, smoky wings, black legs, and two yellowish spots on each abdominal segment.

Spotted resting on vegetation on the edge of a meadow.

comments (6)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

What an elegant dipteran! <3 I'm in love!

Reminds me of the flapper dresses from the 1920s! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Haha, it sure is fancy. Wonder if it listens to jazz ;P Posted 7 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

This is insanely cool. Flies are usually some of my least favorite insect groups, but this one is a mind-changer. The gold even looks like real gold! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! It really reflected the light to look gold! It was gorgeous. Posted 7 years ago

Ruth Spigelman

Lion

Absolutely stunning little fly, beautifully captured Christine. A month or so ago, I happened to see and photograph two mating flies - but they had such marked sexual dimorphism I wasn't sure they were even of the same species and indeed mating. After research, turns out they were indeed snipe flies. Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Ruth! I have seen photos of mating snipe flies and agree that the sexual dimorphism is startling! Posted 7 years ago

The Golden-backed Snipe Fly

Chrysopilus thoracicus, the golden-backed snipe fly, is a species of snipe flies in the family Rhagionidae. It is usually found in woodland areas of the eastern part of North America.

Info 5 0

Similar species: True Flies

Species identified by Christine Young