Tag Archives: diptera

Beautiful Flies

Posted on January 22, 2014 by the roused bear

There is an interesting discussion over at the fly obsession blog.  Entomologist and dipterist Brian Brown is asking for suggestions for the title of “Most Beautiful Fly in the World.” “Beauty” and “Fly” are usually not used in the same … Continue reading →

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Iowa’s Flies

Posted on October 1, 2013 by the roused bear

I have another website that I work on at times, The Poweshiek Skipper Project.  I have decided to put together some pages on the flies of Iowa–I won’t roll it out to the public for a while–probably several months at … Continue reading →

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Another Long-legged Fly

Posted on August 20, 2013 by the roused bear

I posted a photo of a long-legged fly a few days ago.  Here is another one. I am pretty sure this is another species.  There are reportedly around 1200 species in North America. Look for them on the surface of … Continue reading →

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An Insect Lek

Posted on August 4, 2013 by the roused bear

Tiny insects are swarming and apparently doing a mating dance near a marker post for a prairie patch.  I try to get closer and they disperse.  When I step away they re-form. I think they are tiny flies–diptera.  But they … Continue reading →

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Chasing Flies

Posted on July 5, 2013 by the roused bear

I am sure I am in a minority on this, but I find flies pretty fascinating.  I was chasing insects with my camera over the last couple of days, and I came across a couple that are pretty impressive. This … Continue reading →

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Robber Flies are Pretty Impressive

Posted on July 14, 2012 by the roused bear

I have always found robber flies to be impressive.  There are two small species around my place that are very common and I have photographed them a lot.  There are some others that are larger and not very common, and I … Continue reading →

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Long Legged Fly

Posted on May 24, 2012 by the roused bear

When I wonder around on our property and look at the leaves of trees and bushes I often see these long-legged flies.  I think this is Condylostylus patibulatus.  It belongs to a bigger group, the family Dolichopodidae.  Bugguide says there … Continue reading →

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Something in the Air

Posted on May 14, 2012 by the roused bear

Many of us live in cities, surrounded by closely cropped grass, cement, and asphalt.  I am fortunate enough to live a little ways away from the city. If you live in a good habitat for them, there might be small … Continue reading →

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Peony Buds

Posted on April 17, 2012 by the roused bear

Our peonies are getting close to blooming.  Peonies at this stage secrete some kind of nectar or sap that is very attractive to insects.  Often you will see the buds covered with ants. They are also quite attractive to flies.  … Continue reading →

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Why do Flies Have Hair?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by the roused bear

In the last post I had a photograph of Bombylius major.  That fly looks soft and furry, almost like a deer mouse.  It even has a lighter belly–similar to the countershading exhibited by the mouse. A few flies have enough … Continue reading →

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