Profile: Golden-backed Snipe Fly, Chrysopilus thoracicus

Golden-backed snipe flies can be found throughout eastern North America, and are most often observed resting on low vegetation in deciduous woodlands. They appe...
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Golden-backed snipe flies can be found throughout eastern North America, and are most often observed resting on low vegetation in deciduous woodlands. They appear in the late spring and early summer, and have been observed mating in late May and early June, although timing likely varies across their range. The vast majority of dipterans lay eggs which hatch into tiny larvae, lacking true thoracic legs. Although nothing is known about the life cycle of this species, the larvae of flies in the same family are known to develop in rotting wood or moist soil (or occasionally in aquatic environments), feeding on small insects. Most dipteran larvae undergo at least one molt before pupating.

Adult snipe flies are typically predatory on other insects, although some members of the family do feed on human or other mammal blood.

It is thought that C. thoracicus is in the predatory class, although they have been observed to eat little.
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