Species: Peacock fly - unnamed 2 (Dioxyna bidentis)
Family: Peacock flies (TEPHRITIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: SW
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Peacock flies (TEPHRITIDAE)
The Tephritidaeis one of two families commonly called fruit flies. The Drosophilidae family are the 'common fruit flies' (used extensively in laboratories for genetic research), but these Tephritidae are sometimes called Peacock flies to distinguish them from their more famous relatives.
As a rule, members of this family of flies have elaborate and colourful wing markings.
Females lay eggs in living, healthy plant tissue, which the larvae feed on upon emerging. Adults have a short lifespan, often of less than a week.
C. Peacock fly - unnamed 2 (Dioxyna bidentis)
These colourful flies lay eggs in the flower heads of Asters. The developing larvae mine their way deeper inside the flower head, causing a 'gall' or deformity in the flower's appearance, before they develop further by pupating into the adult form.
Images
Peacock fly - unnamed 2 (Dioxyna bidentis)
These flies lay eggs in the flower heads of members of the Aster family. The developing larvae mine their way deeper inside the flower head, causing a 'gall' or deformity in the flower's appearance, before they develop further by pupating into the adult form.
