Kauaʻi Picture-wing Fly

Natural history and identification

Drosophila musaphilia is a Kauaʻi-endemic picture-wing fly whose larvae develop in fermenting sap flows on koa, Acacia koa. A koa tree alone is not sufficient breeding habitat: the suitable sap-flow condition is also needed. Adults have a dark thorax with gray hairs and patterned wings. The Fish and Wildlife Service identifies the species as endangered and describes the patchiness of its breeding resource.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Hawaiʻi DLNR. Federally endangered picture-wing fly recorded in Kauaʻi conservation planning area.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Drosophila musaphilia

Common names

Kauaʻi Picture-wing Fly

Family

Drosophilidae

Order

Diptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Endemic

Conservation status

Endangered (U.S. ESA)

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Kauaʻi Picture-wing Fly (Drosophila musaphilia) belongs to Drosophilidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status is endemic.

Sources and further reading

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Hawaiʻi DLNR
• Natural history and identification — species source