Platystomatidae

Last December and January these little flies visited our place where they sat on our Eucalyptus citriodora tree to cool down. This week we found them sitting head toward the ground on Xanthorrhoea fronds during the cooler part of the day toward evening. We found up to 7 on one grasstree. The female is larger than the male by a few mm and has a white end to her abdomen.~4-5mmFemale: www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/5265054506/ Male: www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/5403906970/ Fred had to hold the fronds to stop them swaying. Thanks Fred.

Male

female

One of these little flies was sitting on the trunk of the Eucalyptus citriodora tree in the garden.It sat face down at 30cm from the ground. It was a very hot day. (38C +) Other insects sit on the cool trunk too. It is very similar to one I photographed one month ago except it has a different abdomen. See notes below from Servitude (Tony) This is the male Lenophila nila

It looks like it belongs to the Tephritidae family. See notes below from Tony (Servitude) Very likely Lenophila nilaSee THE GENUS LENOPHILA (DIPTERA: PlATYSTOMATIDAE)DAVID K. McAlPINE and SE PVONG KIMThere have been some 'different' flies around lately. This one is cute and distinctive! It seems that Lenophila nila live on Xanthorrhoea trunks.

Lenophila nila

female

While I was photographing this one I noticed a long (what I thought was an) ovopositor behind the fly. It proceeded to move slowly down the frond going to the toilet! (I presume)

Kabarole, Uganda

Mpumalanga, South Africa

Mpumalanga, South Africa

Mpumalanga, South Africa

Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Hollebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Florida, United States