21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A fly on a Scribbly-gum tree

The 'scribbles' on the bark of these trees are made by the larvae of tiny moths, which burrow under the bark. Like many eucalypts, Scribbly-gums shed their old bark each year, and when they do so the trails of the larvae can be seen as 'scribbles' on the new bark. The red gum (kino) is a response to damage, possibly caused by fire. I believe the fly is a Tachinid fly (Family Tachinidae), but I don't know which species.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Nearest town: Darkes Forest, Australia
Camera: ILCE-7M3
Copyright: © Keith Horton