antlered flutter fly
(Toxonevra superba)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Antlered flutter fly is a widely distributed but rare fly. It occurs in the United States from Maine to Minnesota south to Georgia and Nebraska, and in southern Canada from Nova Scotia to Alberta. Adults are found on flowers and on low branches of trees and shrubs. Larvae may feed on plant material, or they may prey on the larvae of bark beetles, or both. Adults are yellowish-brown and ⅛″ to ¼″ (3 to 6 mm) in length. The head is rounded in profile. There are two large compound eyes, one on each side of the head, and three simple eyes (ocelli) in a small triangle on top of the head. The compound eyes are round. The collection of protruding mouthparts (proboscis) is short. The third segment of each antenna is oval. The upper part of the thorax is yellowish-brown. There are two indistinct, slightly paler, stripes, and two parallel rows of black bristles. Each abdominal segment has a row of large black bristles near the rear margin. There is a small but distinct black spot at the base of each bristle. The wings are clear with dark brown markings. There is a broad, dark brown band on the leading edge (costal margin) extending around the wingtip. The band has a small bump on the inner side about one third of the distance to the wingtip. There is also a large spot half way to the wingtip extending from the band to the inner margin. The wing pattern resembles a deer’s antlers to imaginative minds. The subcostal vein (Sc) is complete. The costal vein is broken near the end of the Sc. The anal cell is rounded at the end. The legs are light yellow. The fourth leg segment (tibia) does not have bristles near the tip. |
Size |
Total length: ⅛″ to ¼″ (3 to 6 mm) |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Moist, shady places |
Biology |
Season |
June to September |
Behavior |
Males extend and vibrate their wings, a behavior that gives the family Pallopteridae its common name. |
Life Cycle |
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Larva Food |
Plant material or larvae of bark beetles or both |
Adult Food |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 9/13/2024 | ||
Occurrence |
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Widely distributed but rare |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Suborder |
Brachycera |
Infraorder |
Cyclorrhapha |
Zoosection |
Schizophora |
Zoosubsection |
Acalyptratae (acalyptrate flies) |
Superfamily |
Tephritoidea (fruit, signal, and picture-winged flies) |
Family |
Pallopteridae (flutter-wing flies) |
Genus |
Toxonevra |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Palloptera superba Toxoneura superba (misspelling) |
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Common Names |
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antlered flutter fly |
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Glossary
Costal margin
The leading edge of the forewing of insects.
Ocellus
Simple eye; an eye with a single lens. Plural: ocelli.
Proboscis
The protruding mouthpart(s) of a sucking insect.
Tibia
The fourth segment of an insect leg, after the femur and before the tarsus (foot). The fifth segment of a spider leg or palp.
Visitor Photos |
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Christine Morrissey |
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Sabrina Brown |
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I think this is an antlered flutter fly. I have never seen one before! In Hanover, ON, Canada. |
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Babette Kis |
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Toxonevra superba seen at Barnes Prairie, near hedgerow, Racine County, WI Fly is on Solomon's seal, Polygonatum biflorum. |
Erica |
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Sean Michotte II |
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Hello! My name is Sean Michotte II, I live in Uniontown, PA, and I spotted an “antlered flutterfly” today in my house. I hope that my sighting is relevant, being that you are a Minnesota based site. I just thought it was very bizarre. Thank you! |
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| Thank you so much! I appreciate the opportunity to have my sighting seen! I understand that they might not be relevant, but I have few more pictures if you’d like them! |  |
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Alfredo Colon |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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@annahalo |
Moose Antler Fly or Flutter Fly! |
About
Moose Antler Fly or Flutter Fly! #shorts @annahalo Thank you to all my Fans and Friends! |
Other Videos |
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MVI 0107 |
About
Jan 31, 2017 Toxonevra superba, Flutter Fly (Pallopteridae), fluttering on bird pooh, July 15, 2016 |
Toxonevra superba, some insects only have Latin names |
About
May 12, 2020 |
Visitor Sightings |
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Christine Morrissey |
Location: Appleton, WI |
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| @annahalo 8/16/2023 |
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada |
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| Sabrina Brown 7/11/2023 |
Location: Hanover, ON, Canada I think this is an antlered flutter fly. I have never seen one before! In Hanover, ON, Canada. |
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| Babette Kis 9/6/2022 |
Location: Barnes Prairie near the hedgerow, Racine County, Wisconsin Fly is on Solomon's seal, Polygonatum biflorum. |
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| Erica 8/26/2022 |
Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Have never seen this where I live in all my 39 years! The wishbone or antler looking pattern on it's wings is what grabbed my attention. |
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| Jen Mathews 8/2022 |
Location: Somerset, WI We have seen two this week. |
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| Sean Michotte II 8/30/2021 |
Location: Uniontown, PA Hello! My name is Sean Michotte II, I live in Uniontown, PA, and I spotted an “antlered flutterfly” today in my house. I hope that my sighting is relevant, being that you are a Minnesota based site. I just thought it was very bizarre. Thank you! |
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| Alfredo Colon Summer 2019 |
Location: Woodbury, MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 12/23/2020 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |