Golden-backed Snipe Fly
ExploreInsects
Golden-backed Snipe Fly
Chrysopilus thoracicus
The Golden-backed Snipe Fly is a shiny, beautiful insect with a golden back. It loves to fly around flowers and is often seen in gardens and fields, making it a fun friend to spot!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Golden-backed Snipe Fly is a small, slender fly with a distinctive, iridescent golden-yellow thorax that truly sparkles. Its abdomen is dark brown to black, and its wings are clear, sometimes with a brownish tinge near the base, setting it apart from other drabber flies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyRhagionidaeGenusChrysopilus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Adult Golden-backed Snipe Flies love flower nectar.
Despite "snipe fly," they don't have a long beak!
Some snipe flies are called "timber flies" for larval habits.
Their larvae are tiny predators hiding underground!
Special abilities
Ability
Hovering Hunter
Golden-backed Snipe Fly can hover effortlessly in mid-air using rapid wing movements, allowing them to ambush small insects with precision.
Ability
Sticky Tongues
Golden-backed Snipe Fly has a spongy proboscis that helps them lap up nectar and other liquid foods, providing quick energy for flight.
Ability
Soil Scavengers
Golden-backed Snipe Fly larvae live in soil and rotting wood, where they can consume decaying matter and other small invertebrates as decomposers.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 10-18 mm
- Size
- 5-9 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip flower nectar for energy; larvae are tiny predators or decomposers in soil.
Age differences: Larvae are predatory or detritivorous in soil; adults feed on nectar and plant fluids.
Primary Foods
- nectar
- honeydew
- small insect larvae
- earthworms
- decaying organic matter
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
pollinates
Wild Carrot
Daucus carota
Visits flowers for nectar, aiding plant reproduction.
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
An easy meal for insect-eating birds.
hunts
Springtail
Folsomia candida
Larvae prey on small soil invertebrates like springtails.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
These flies are not dangerous, but it's always good to watch insects from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Golden-backed Snipe Fly's wingspan?
10-18 mm
How big is Golden-backed Snipe Fly?
5-9 mm
How long does Golden-backed Snipe Fly live?
10-20 days
What does Golden-backed Snipe Fly eat?
Adults sip flower nectar for energy; larvae are tiny predators or decomposers in soil.
Where is Golden-backed Snipe Fly usually found?
Grasslands
How does Golden-backed Snipe Fly hunt?
Ambush
How many legs does Golden-backed Snipe Fly have?
6
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