Scaptomyza montana

Scaptomyza montana is a small fly species in the family Drosophilidae, first described by Wheeler in 1949. It belongs to the genus Scaptomyza, a group of flies that includes both herbivorous leaf-mining species and non-herbivorous relatives. The species epithet 'montana' suggests association with mountainous habitats. Like other members of its genus, it likely shares the general body plan of small drosophilid flies with characteristic wing venation and compound eyes. The genus Scaptomyza has gained scientific attention due to its evolutionary transition to herbivory, which occurred approximately 10–15 million years ago, making it a valuable model for studying dietary adaptation in insects.