Dotted-wing lauxaniid flies
Scientific Name: Homoneura spp.
Size: Total Length 6mm
What does it look like?
Overall colouration brownish to orange with reddish compound eyes. Body has sparse blackish hairs, and legs moderately long. Wings longer than body, translucent smoky-grey, and with pattern of darker spots. Some members of genus can be partially or entirely black and have no dotted wing pattern
Where is it found?
Eastern, south-eastern and south-western Australia; probably more widespread than records indicate. More widely distributed throughout the world.
What are its habitats & habits?
Occurs in forests, woodland, heaths and mangroves, typically preferring moist, shaded undergrowth or damp soil. Seen less commonly in grassland and similarly open habitats. Larvae saprophagous, feeding on decaying organic matter and fungi in leaf litter and similar vegetation.
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Insects of Australia
