Prochyliza xanthostoma
In 3 days ~10%
Prochyliza xanthostoma, the waltzing fly, is a species of carrion-feeding cheese skipper, insects in the family Piophilidae and the order Diptera. P. xanthostoma is a member of the genus Prochyliza, which contains eleven species. The adult flies are found through North America and are brown-bodied, with orange and black coloring. Mating occurs on animal carcasses and male perform mating rituals; females engage in ejaculate feeding. The waltzing fly is known for its exaggerated sexual dimorphism and has thus become a prominent model for sexual dimorphism and larval behavior. These organisms are known as cheese skippers because when startled, the larvae (which often infest cured meats and cheese) can leap several inches into the air. P. xanthostoma is an important model organism for sexual selection, larval behavior, and adult reproductive success and survivability.
The adult waltzing flies are narrow, brown-bodied with legs that are orange medial to the body and black lateral to the body. Waltzing flies also have a slip of silver underneath their eyes. The wings are brownish-yellow and the body length ranges from 4 mm to 6 mm.
Waltzing flies have elongated antennae... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Toronto | 🇨🇦 Canada |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Waltzing Fly sighting in Toronto on a given day, based on 11 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 1135th most-seen of the 1689 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, if each day is a fresh chance.
Any time of year
In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Waltzing Fly in Toronto on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.
Among the best
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Waltzing Fly sightings, Toronto ranks 2nd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Washington (United States, under 5%).
Same order: Diptera
The closest relatives of the Waltzing Fly that you can see in Toronto (order Diptera, Flies) are Eastern Calligrapher (about 10%), Tiger Bee Fly (about 10%) and Margined Calligrapher (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Waltzing Fly is recorded against all the insects logged in Toronto (11 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
