Picture-Winged Fly (Delphinia picta)
Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Picture-Winged Fly.
Updated: 8/17/2017; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Picture-Winged Fly
The family of Picture-Winged Flies is filled with bold, flashy and striking members and Delphinia picta is no exception.
Delphinia picta is one of central and eastern North America's most common Picture-Winged Flies. Its wings are mostly black, but they bear solid white stripes and spots on them. The body, by contrast, is a lighter brown or flesh color. Its eyes are a pinky-rose color.
Females will deposit hundreds of fertilized eggs using an ovipositor, a syringe-like tail. The eggs are placed inside very rotten fruit, vegetable or flower matter. Within a week, they will hatch and the larvae (maggots) will feed on the remains of the plant matter surrounding them. Though most larvae will pupate and emerge as adults in the same year, the larvae can overwinter in deeper ground and complete their aging process the subsequent spring.
