Snipe Fly – Rhagio mystaceus

Snipe flies are a group of insects belonging to the family Rhagionidae in the superfamily Tabanoidea. This family includes about 350 species of flies that are found worldwide.

Rhagio flies are commonly called “down-looker” flies for their habit of perching head-downward on tree trunks.

Flies in Rhagionidae have slender, tapered often pubescent bodies and stilt-like legs.

The mouthparts are adapted for piercing and some species are haematophagous (blood-sucking) as adults, and bite humans and other mammals, while others are predatory on turtles and reptiles.

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Tree Encyclopedia / North American Insects & Spiders

Online since 2002