Drosophila heteroneura

Scientific name: Drosophila heteroneura

Common Name: Pomace fly (no common name).

USFWS Status: Candidate.

Distribution: Hawaii Island

Sound file (200K): [ click here ]
(from the Jason Project VI)

Map: --

Photo by W.P. Mull

This very rare Drosophila fly is found only on the Big Island of Hawaii where its host is native lobelia bark. Males lek and do head-to-head "combat" (as in the picture above) to control territories. Its numbers are in a steep decline. It has been previously found in the kipuka in the Saddle area, but recent attempts to re-collect this species have proven fruitless.

Click on image for a larger view.

This page last revised 10 February 1997 by nle