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Monday, March 29, 2010

Parastic Fly (Pyrgota undata)

This amazing looking creature is a large member of the fly family, but with a with a unusual life cycle. Flying mostly at night, they will chase june beetles in the air and while in flight, lay a single egg on the beetle. 


Imagine this thing chasing you with graspers out, ready to grab on.


pyrgota undata
parastic fly (Pyrgota undata) in flight


The egg will shortly hatch and the larva will drill into the beetle. Once inside they begin to feast until the beetle is dead.


pyrgotidae fly
parastic fly (Pyrgota undata) portrait

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I found my first one last night. They are so weird looking! Love your photos!

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Portland, Oregon, United States
Husband, Father, Student Of Natural History, Photographer