#acroceridae

here is a small-headed fly, Astomella hispaniae, a ridiculous beast that i distinctly remember finding at like 8 in the evening because the accursed sun wouldn't let me go outside until then. i was reminded of my first encounter with this weird little family by apsciencebydan's recent post and i can confirm they're very disorienting to see in person, since as i was approaching it i thought it was a decapitated hoverfly for some reason

Most people are familiar with the relationship between spiders and flies; spiders weave webs, flies get caught and eaten. However, there are some flies that have decided to flip the script. These are aptly named the spider flies, and when the tiny larva of these species encounter a spider they crawl inside and attach themselves to the spider's lung, where they slowly feed on the spider over the next several years.

(Image: An adult Panops baudini spider fly feeding on a flower's nectar by Dan Schocknecht)

Velmi vzácný druh z řádu dvoukřídlých a čeledi Acroceridae. Byla zastižena na letišti v Hradčanech na Českolipsku. 

lab bug roundup

inktober day 3. it’s pete