Achias rothschildi
A mounted specimen of the Achias rothchild stalk-eyed fly held at the Museum.
This stalk-eyed fly (Achias rothschildi) belongs to the family Platystomatidae and is a highly localised species endemic to Papua New Guinea.
The eye-stalks are mainly used for display in confrontations with other males as they try to establish territory in order to attract a mate.
During conflict between males
- the two individuals involved face each other, the central parts of their heads touching
- combat begins - each male using his front legs to strike out at his opponent
- eventually one of the males backs down
- usually the one with shorter eye-stalks seems to be instinctively submissive in conflicts
Species detail
Eye stalks
The males have long eye-stalks, which vary in size so that the distance between the eyes ranges from about 20 to 55mm. The holotype of this species has the widest head of any known fly.
- are lateral extensions of the fly's head
- eyes are positioned on the end of each stalk
- long eye-stalks are only found on males
- varying in length between individuals
- females have very short eye-stalks.
- sometimes referred to as "pedunculate eyed".
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Taxonomy
Achias rothchildi is one of a genus containing nearly 100 described species, most of them endemic to New Guinea. Get a further taxxonomic description ofthis species.
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Distribution habitat and conservation
Achias rothchildi is endemic to Papua New Guinea. Find out about the types of habitat this species is known from.
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Biology
The largest males have the widest head of any known fly. Learn about the size and growth patterns of Achias rothchildi.
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Behaviour
Studies of stalk-eyed flies suggest that individuals with longer eye-stalks are more successful in conflicts between males, and therefore have an advantage when establishing territory. Discover more about the behaviour of this species.
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References
Get reference material for Achias rothchildi.
Images
A mounted specimen of the Achias rothchildi stalk-eyed fly held at the Museum.
A close up of the wing of Achias rothchildi,a stalk-eyed fly from Papua New Guinea.
A tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea.
Achias rothchildi with a body length of 13.5 -16 mm and a wing length of 14 -16.5 mm.
A long eye-stalk of the male Achias rothschildi . The eye-stalks are mainly used for display in confrontations with other males as they try to establish territory in order to attract a mate. The eye stalks vary in length between individuals - those with longer stalks tend to be more dominant.
Author
Nigel Wyatt
Curator of Diptera, Department of Entomology.
