| Snail-killing Fly (Trypetoptera punctulata (Scopoli 1763)) |
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Scientific name: Trypetoptera punctulata (Scopoli 1763) Common name: Snail-killing Fly Other names: Snail-eating Fly French name: Order: Diptera Family: Sciomyzidae Wingspan : 4.2 to 6,4 mm. Biotope: Meadows, low growing vegetation. Geographic area: Palaearctic region. Observation period : May to October. |
With its spotted wings, Trypetoptera punctulata can make you think to one fly of the Tephritidae family like Tephritis matricariae as an example. However it is easy to tell apart based on the wings pattern, the cream colour with brown patches and the striped reddish orange eyes. The face is a pale colour and concave without any bristle around the mouth. The antennae are pointing forwards. Trypetoptera punctulata, like other members of the Sciomyzidae family, lay its eggs near snails. The larvae will feed on the snails. |
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The pattern on the wings, the colour of the thorax and the striped reddish orange eyes allow an easy identification of the Trypetoptera punctulata species. This is a photogenic fly, when you can observe it in better conditions than among dense high grasses. |
André Bon August 2013