Mating pair of Deer Flies - Stonemyia californica
I found this mating pair of non-biting Deer Flies in the family Tabanidae, probably Stonemyia californica, on a flower of of native Southern Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens, Phrymaceae) today. It seems like an odd position, but compare this photo of mating Bee Flies from last week. These flies don't seek a blood meal like most other tabanid species but visit flowers instead, see this photo. Happy hump day! (San Marcos Pass, 9 July 2019)
Mating pair of Deer Flies - Stonemyia californica
I found this mating pair of non-biting Deer Flies in the family Tabanidae, probably Stonemyia californica, on a flower of of native Southern Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens, Phrymaceae) today. It seems like an odd position, but compare this photo of mating Bee Flies from last week. These flies don't seek a blood meal like most other tabanid species but visit flowers instead, see this photo. Happy hump day! (San Marcos Pass, 9 July 2019)