Fly with a special snout.

Wim van Egmond · Post by **Wim van Egmond** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:51 am

This is a hover fly I have been intrigued by for a long time. After stacking I finally found the answer why this fly, Rhyngia campestris, has such a strange snout. It is clearly designed to keep its cigarette dry when it rains!

Wim

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:47 pm

He Certainly has a strange snout. Do you think it is designed for nectar?

Wim van Egmond · Post by **Wim van Egmond** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:50 am

I think so, I found it attending flowers. It seems to have a more stiffened proboscis compared to other flies which have retractable ones. I think that is why they have this projecting nose where the proboscis fits in.

Wim

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:11 am

Sure would keep one from biting their tounge I suppose.

salden · Post by **salden** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:16 am

Sharp and clear as always

The details are amazing. Another excellent image.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:21 am

The proboscis probably forms a straw when closed and maybe the hard beak allows it to muscle its way deeper into the flower where the good stuff is

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:40 am

Neat shot, its a can opener for that stubborn can of beer, you know the one where the tab always breaks off when you try to pop it.

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:57 am

Looks like one of those large hoverflies we get round here. Great shot!