Gold-Backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Gold-Backed Snipe Fly.

Updated: 6/18/2018; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Gold-Backed Snipe Fly

A bright gold spot on the thorax of the Gold-Backed Snipe Fly draws immediate attention to this big fly.

Not much is known about the Gold-Backed Snipe Fly. It is a member of the Snipe Fly family, which are large flies usually found in wooded areas. The larvae of this species have been seen on rotting wood, though little is known about their life cycle.

It has a look of a wasp and is thought to be a predatory insect. Females have more robust bodies and space between their eyes. Males have larger eyes that are close together and wings that are smokey along the outer edges. Both genders are black with five shiny, metallic bands of golden hairs on the abdomen and a metallic gold spot on the near the head.

Basic Information

Common Name: Gold-Backed Snipe Fly

Scientific Name: Chrysopilus thoracicus

Category: Fly or Mosquito

General Identification

Size (Adult; Length): 10mm to 12mm (0.39in to 0.47in)

Identifying Colors: black, yellow, white

Additional Descriptors: spot, dot, flying, fast, buzzing, shiny, metallic, stripe

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Diptera

Family: Rhagionidae

Genus: Chrysopilus

Species: thoracicus

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed below as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections below indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Gold-Backed Snipe Fly may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

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