Prochyliza xanthostoma
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
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 Washington on a given day, based on 16 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 1121st most-seen of the 1807 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
March
In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Waltzing Fly in Washington on a given day, against under 5% in April to February, the lowest months.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Waltzing Fly sightings, Washington has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come Toronto (Canada, under 5%).
Same order: Diptera
The closest relatives of the Waltzing Fly that you can see in Washington (order Diptera, Flies) are Eastern Calligrapher (about 10%), Margined Calligrapher (about 10%) and Common Picture-Winged Fly (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 Washington (16 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.
