Spiky wings and mating hooks: The strange gear of Suillia bicolor

Meet Suillia bicolor, a tiny, cold-tolerant fly belonging to the spiked-winged flies family (Heleomyzidae). Measuring a mere 5 millimeters in length, this little forest dweller is easily recognized by its vibrant orange-brown thorax contrasting beautifully with a darker brown abdomen. If you want to find them, you have to follow the fungi; their larvae feed entirely on wild mushrooms and decaying organic matter, meaning the adults spend their lives lingering in shady, damp woodlands where mushrooms thrive. To identify them, entomologists look for a family trademark: a unique row of tiny, stiff spines running along the front edge of their wings. But the males have an even weirder, hidden tool—a miniature “hook” on their front feet that they use to tightly clamp onto the female during mating. I spotted this tiny, mushroom-loving specialist resting during an overnight camp on my bicycle tour through Sweden.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest posts of related arthropods

Photo taken on 10-06-2026 in Edanger, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings:  f18, 1/200, ISO 160.
Forest edge favorites: Capturing the ele...
Photo taken on 16-06-2026 in Lufta Camping, Ånäset, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings:  f13, 1/200, ISO 160.
No gift, No date: The elaborate aerial b...
Photo taken on 26-06-2026 in Kaitsor, Finland, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings:  f14, 1/200, ISO 250.
Hidden in plain sight: Learning to spot ...
Photo taken on 15-06-2026 in Lufta Camping, Ånäset, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings:  f13, 1/200, ISO 160.
Mapping the snailkiller: From Baltic wet...
Photo taken on 21-06-2026 in Haukipudas, Finland, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings:  f11, 1/200, ISO 100.
Shooting blind: Capturing the stealthy d...
Photo taken on 20-06-2026 in Merihelmi camping, Finland, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings:  f13, 1/200, ISO 200.
The translucent hand-waver: Capturing a ...
Scroll to Top

This website contains photos of spiders

Would you prefer not to see spiders?