Stalk Eyed Fly

I saw and Blipped my first ever stalk eyed fly on my last day in Bandung, just as I was leaving to work in China, 11th April 2014. How ironic is it that I should find and Blip my second on my first bug safari after my return!

I was unable to identify the fly last time as I was in a mad rush, but this time, there was no problem finding this bug with its distinctive eyes.

Identification – family Diopsidae.

First impression would be that these strange appendages evolved to give the bug an ocular advantage for food gathering or avoiding predators. But, from a quick read on the subject, the eye stalk thing is for mate selection, the longer stalks being more desirable to the female.

Women huh!

Dave