# Peacock Fly (*callopistromyia annulipes*)

The Peacock Fly is a colorful insect that can be found fluttering around flowers. With its vibrant patterns, it's like a tiny piece of art in nature!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Meadows, gardens, and parks.
- **Also known as:** Colorful Fly, Garden Fly

![Peacock Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Callopistromyia_annulipes_216149629.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Alexis, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callopistromyia_annulipes_216149629.jpg)

## Appearance

The Peacock Fly has intricate, clear and dark banded wings with iridescent blue-green spots that mimic eyes. Its slender legs are distinctly banded with black and white, contrasting with its small, compact, dark body.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Diptera
- **Family:** Ulidiidae
- **Genus:** Callopistromyia

## Interesting facts

- Baby Peacock Flies live hidden inside rotting wood, munching away!
- Its stunning wing patterns and movements earned it the 'Peacock' name!
- Males perform a mesmerizing 'dance' with their wings to attract a mate!
- They wiggle their banded legs, making them look like dangerous spiders!

## Special abilities

- **Wing Waving Dance:** Peacock Fly can wave its distinctively patterned wings in a mesmerizing dance, which helps them communicate and deter predators.
- **Deceptive Eyespots:** Peacock Fly has iridescent blue-green spots on its wings that look like eyes, which helps them startle predators.
- **Wood Borer Larvae:** Peacock Fly larvae can tunnel and feed inside decaying wood, which helps them access nutrients and stay protected.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 8-12 mm
- **Size:** 4-6 mm
- **Lifespan:** 10-30 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Adults sip tree sap and nectar, while larvae enjoy dining inside decaying wood!

- **Age differences:** Larvae consume decaying wood, while adults feed on plant secretions like sap and nectar.
- **Primary Foods:** tree sap, nectar, honeydew, decaying wood
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Black-capped Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-capped-chickadee) (*Poecile atricapillus*) — Chickadees are common bird predators of small insects, including flies.
- **Eaten by:** Garden Orb-weaver (*Araneus diadematus*) — Many spider species, like orb-weavers, trap flies in their sticky webs.
- **Depends on:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Adult Peacock Flies feed on the sap of various deciduous trees.

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Peacock Fly?

Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Peacock Fly's wingspan?

8-12 mm

### How big is Peacock Fly?

4-6 mm

### How long does Peacock Fly live?

10-30 days

### What does Peacock Fly eat?

Adults sip tree sap and nectar, while larvae enjoy dining inside decaying wood!

### Where is Peacock Fly usually found?

Meadows, gardens, and parks.

### How does Peacock Fly hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Peacock Fly have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Fort George Wright](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-george-wright) — Washington, US · Historic Site
- [John A. Finch Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-a-finch-arboretum) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden
- [Manito Park and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/manito-park-and-botanical-gardens) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden

[View all places to see Peacock Fly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/peacock-fly)

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Peacock Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peacock-fly)