Sluggin' Along: Picture-winged Flies

This specimen belongs to the superfamily Tephritoidea, which also contains Fruit Flies, with which Picture-winged Flies may often be confused because they are both pests of fruit trees and can resemble one another. Picture-winged Flies make up the family Ulidiidae, and this specimen is a member of the subfamily Otitinae, tribe Cephaliini, and species Delphinia picta. Picture-winged Flies are so called because of the patterns of bands and spots on their wings: like with Fruit Flies' wings, God decided to paint pictures in them.

The abdomen of Delphinia picta is black, while the fly's thorax and head are a reddish-brown. Its legs are the same color. Its large compound eyes are red with a purplish tint. The space between the eyes is orangish. This species is primarily distinguished by the appearance of its wings, each having two clear triangles amid the black on the front edge. When the fly walks, it rotates its wings like rowing oars. Like other flies, it also has elongated mouthparts.