More Urban Species in the yard

[urbpan]

This weirdly attractive fly is Delphinia picta, a picture-winged fly. The wings are distinctively patterned, and moved in a rowing motion as the fly walks along--perhaps a sexual display or some kind of defense? I found no explanation for the horse-like shape of the fly's head, only the note that one scientist observed "adults feeding on fermenting beetle frass protruding from the bark of a black locust." Larvae feed on decaying vegetable matter, including compost and rotten onions.