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Chrysopilus ornatus
Ornate Snipe Fly
Chrysopilus ornatus is a small, metallic snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae, distinguished by its ornate gold-colored scales that cover the body. Adults are found primarily in moist woodlands and forest edges of the northeastern United States and adjacent southern Canada, with activity peaking in June. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism: males have eyes in contact at the top of the head and more slender abdomens, while females have separated eyes and more robust, pointed abdomens. Surprisingly little is known about its life history; larvae are suspected to occur in damp soil rich in decaying organic matter or in rotting wood, and may be predatory on other invertebrates.