20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Golden-legged mydas fly on rattlesnake master
An evolved bluffer, this uncommon, large, yet harmless vegan fly looks like an intimidating carnivorous wasp, and acts like one, shrugging-away intrusions, even by territorial, true wasps. If tested, this mimic would fail, however, testing is not worth risk for most adversaries. This fly has a wingspan of approximately 5cm (2”).
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 08.2022 |
| Date Uploaded: | 11.2022 |
| Photo Location: | Chicago, Illinois, United States of America |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark IV |
| Copyright: | © Gray Rothkopf |