Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) vs Golden-belted Tachinid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) | Golden-belted Tachinid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Drosophila heteroneura | Ectophasia crassipennis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Drosophilidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Oceania (Hawaii - Big Island) | Europe |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura)
A remarkable Hawaiian picture-wing fly famous for its hammer-shaped head, found only on Hawaii Island. Males use their broad, flattened heads in head-butting contests for mating rights. It breeds in decaying Clermontia bark.
Did You Know?
Males have uniquely hammer-shaped heads that they use as battering rams, headbutting rival males in combat over territory and mates.
Golden-belted Tachinid
A colorful parasitic fly with golden-yellow markings and dark wing patches. Parasitizes shieldbugs and stink bugs. Often seen on umbellifer flowers.
Did You Know?
The conspicuous wing markings may be involved in mating displays among the otherwise cryptic tachinid flies.