Category Archives: Diptera

This very large hoverfly looks and behaves remarkably like a wasp. It’s one of the biggest hoverflies at 20mm in length. Japanese: shirosuji-naga-hanaabu Scientific: Milesia undulata Found at Yokoyama Village in Munakata (Fukuoka, Japan)

I didn’t know there were craneflies this pretty! It was quite a surprise to see it sitting on a tree. Diptera: Tipulidae Dictenidia pictipennis Yellow cranefly = bekkou-gaganbo Location: fureiai-no-mori Forest Park in Munakata (map here)

Well, our long mosquito season is well and truly here. They were out in force today… Diptera: Culicidae Aedes albopictus Asian Tiger Mosquito = hitosujishima-ka Location: fureiai-no-mori Forest Park in Munakata (map here)

Diptera: Asilidae Trichomachimus scutellaris Robber fly = sakiguro-mushi-hiki Location: fureiai-no-mori Forest Park in Munakata (map here)

I’ve never noticed this kind of robber fly before, probably because it resembles a bumblebee. It has wonderful eyes that follow your every move. A pretty efficient predator I’d say. Diptera: Asilidae Laphria mitsukurii Robber fly = oo-ishi-abu Location: fureiai-no-mori … Continue reading →

Robber fly (shioya-abu) with one of its favorite prey, a Japanese Beetle (mamekogane). Diptera: Asilidae Promachus yesonicus = shioya-abu Location: In sweet chestnut grove next to Munakata Common (Google map)

I managed to get bitten by a couple of mosquitoes today, and was proud to capture a photo of the first one without killing it. How kind! I’m sure that the novelty of being bitten will wear off soon and … Continue reading →

Diptera: Calliphoridae (blow flies) Stomorhina obsoleta = tsumaguro-kin-bae Location: Path between woods and fields near Munakata Common (map)

I haven’t identified this species yet. Tephritidae = fruit flies (mibae) Some useful links: Tephritidae wiki = here Article on genus Tephritis (entomological science) = here Location: edge of field in Munakata (map)

Bibionid flies (ke-bae) have many common names in the USA, the most common being “march flies” or “love bugs” (although these are different species to the one below). The larvae are in huge numbers in the soil/leaf-litter of the forest floor … Continue reading →