Strange Flower Fly (Rhingia nasica)

[NikonUser]

Note the long snout and the wild-boar-tusks on the proboscis (left one sticking up, right one somewhat flattened).
Diptera: Syrphidae: Rhingia nasica. The only member of the genus in North America. Length 8.5mm.
Face shot: D2Xs + 8cm extension + reversed 28mm @ f8; single SB800 flash, 49 exposures @ 0.05m, HF 4.1

EDIT: title changed

[rjlittlefield]

Bizarre creature, very nicely photographed.

How does it use these strange mouthparts?

--Rik

[lauriek]

Weird! We have a couple of Rhingia species in the UK, campestris and rostrata. Both have the snout but neither have the tusks as far as I know.

Really nice shot(s)!

I shot one of this genus and found I needed a /lot/ of diffusion on the flashes to avoid the flare on the snout, it's obviously very reflective..

Edited to add: After posting that I wondered whether I'd posted my Rhingia here, and I did, it's here and look, having said I don't think they have the tusks, there they are! Not as obvious in my shot though..

[NikonUser]

How does it use these strange mouthparts?--Rik

According to Steve Marshall "Insects Their Natural History and Diversity" (the best book for species identification for insects of eastern North America) the proboscis is housed in the snout; its drops down at right angles when the fly feeds. So my guess is that the wild-boar-tusks are for parking/guiding the proboscis in the snout. Need to see a photo with the proboscis 'parked'.

[Ken Ramos]

NikonUser wrote:

"Insects Their Natural History and Diversity" (the best book for species identification for insects of eastern North America)

Got to add that to my "need to get a copy of" list. Thanks! Great images by the way.

[Cyclops]

Wow interesting fly,and to think most people would just swat it without a thought. But insects are fascinating when seen up close.