First Terrible Hairy Fly since 1948 found in Kenya

[Eldritch]

Scientists have rediscovered a bizarre insect in Kenya, collecting the first Terrible Hairy Fly specimen since 1948.

Since then, at least half a dozen expeditions have visited its only known habitat - a rock cleft in an area east of Nairobi - in search of the fly.

Two insect specialists recently spotted the 1cm-long insect, known as Mormotomyia hirsuta, living on the 20m-high rock.

They point out that it looks more like a spider with hairy legs.

The fly was found by Dr Robert Copeland and Dr Ashley Kirk-Spriggs during an expedition led by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).

"The rediscovery of the species, which has been collected on only two occasions before, in 1933 and 1948, has caused excitement in insect museums world-wide," the team members said in a statement.

Unable to fly and partial to breeding in bat faeces, the fly is thought to live only in the dank, bat-filled cleft of the isolated rock in Kenya's Ukazi Hills.

It also has non-functional wings that resemble miniature belt-straps, and tiny eyes.

Dr Copeland of the Nairobi-based ICIPE said the fly's physical appearance had left scientists bamboozled about where exactly it belonged in the entire order of Diptera, or "true flies".

"We have collected fresh specimens for molecular analysis to see where exactly the Terrible Hairy Fly fits into the evolutionary process," Robert Copeland told Reuters news agency.

"The fly has no obvious adaptations for clinging onto other animals for transfer from one place to another. With its long legs, it could perhaps wrap itself around a bat and get a ride... but it's never been found elsewhere."

But he added: "Since Mormotomyia cannot fly, there is a strong possibility that it is really restricted to this tiny habitat."

Link.

[Alison]

OMW! I HATE flies with a passion. Kenya can keep this horrible creature.

[Eldritch]

OMW! I HATE flies with a passion. Kenya can keep this horrible creature.

Well, I certainly wouldn't want to live in an area that's infested with them, that's for sure.

But don't you think there's something fascinating about it in an objective sense?

[Alison]

I do, yes. The fact that it can't fly, for one, is of interest. I wonder if living in a dank (obviously dark) place is a reason for the tiny eyes. I also wonder at the amount of hair it has. Any ideas?

[Eldritch]

I do, yes. The fact that it can't fly, for one, is of interest. I wonder if living in a dank (obviously dark) place is a reason for the tiny eyes. I also wonder at the amount of hair it has. Any ideas?

Well, strictly speaking insect "hair" isn't actually hair at all, it consists of a harder material called chitin. The hairs are called setae and they're important for the insect's proprioception, which is its sense of the position and the movement of its own limbs.

I'm assuming they also provide the brain with sensory data about the fly's immediate surroundings -- obviously especially important for an insect that lives in a cave.

[Treffie]

Unable to fly and partial to breeding in bat faeces, the fly is thought to live only in the dank, bat-filled cleft of the isolated rock in Kenya's Ukazi Hills

A fly that can not fly? Why do they call it a fly then?

[Alison]

Well, strictly speaking insect "hair" isn't actually hair at all, it consists of a harder material called chitin. The hairs are called setae and they're important for the insect's proprioception, which is its sense of the position and the movement of its own limbs.

I'm assuming they also provide the brain with sensory data about the fly's immediate surroundings -- obviously especially important for an insect that lives in a cave.

Ah yes, of course. It makes perfect sense. Doh. I mustn't try to multitask.

[Alison]

A fly that can not fly? Why do they call it a fly then?

LOL!

[Eldritch]

Ladies, gents and other entities not particularly fond of flies: allow me to introduce you to what must be one of the most unusual environments in nature:

Mono Lake, California:





Besides brine shrimp (the only form of life capable of dwelling in the alkaline and salty lake) the lake also hosts enormous swarms of alkali flies:









This rather disgusting environment is nevertheless a very important stop-over for migratory birds that feed on the flies.

[Bloodeagle]

Ladies, gents and other entities not particularly fond of flies: allow me to introduce you to what must be one of the most unusual environments in nature:

Mono Lake, California:





Besides brine shrimp (the only form of life capable of dwelling in the alkaline and salty lake) the lake also hosts enormous swarms of alkali flies:









This rather disgusting environment is nevertheless a very important stop-over for migratory birds that feed on the flies.

To think that at one time, Los Angeles had threatened to gulp down the rivers that fed Mono lake, in its never ending need for water in an arid region.