Parapalaeosepsis plebeia – a characteristic species by the position, shape and size of the wing spot being unlike any other Australian species. This is the most common sepsid species across Australia, and the only species found in Tasmania.
Male
Late October 2010
Hobart
Female
Late September 2012
Buckland
Late March 2014
Ulverstone
Bubble blowing to reduce water content.
Late September 2012
Buckland
The characteristic wing waving of sepsid flies.
Late October 2009
Hobart
Typical male sepsid pre-mating guarding behaviour. The male has foreleg modifications that allow a clamped grip over the female’s wing bases. She will try to buck the unwanted guard for several minutes (over 20 minutes has been observed in another species). If he manages to stay the ride, he will usually be allowed to mate with her.
Early May 2015
Knocklofty Reserve, Hobart
Interacting with an ant.
References
Zuska J. & Colless D. H. 1984. Australian Sepsidae (Diptera). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 23: 59-67.