May 30, 2017
#1235 - Inopus rubriceps - Sugarcane Soldier Fly
Unusually for Soldier Flies (Stratiomyidae) this species is actually an agricultural pest, with the larvae attacking the roots of sugarcane here in Australia, but also found in New Zealand, and accidentally introduced to California 60 years ago. It was first found in San Francisco, and from there has slowly spread to adjacent counties in the SF Bay area -- where it seems to be restricted to today. They’re a moderate sod pest in California, and that is probably what it was eating here in Glen Iris, near Bunbury - it’s not like we grow sugarcane down here, but we’ve got plenty of lawn.