On the edge of a leaf that stretches like a silent path, a tiny insect is busily scurrying back and forth on the leaf. At first, I thought it was an ant. After observing it for a while, I realized it wasn't an ant, but rather an ant-mimicking fly. If you weren't careful, you might mistake it for a large ant.
Judging by its body shape and color, this insect does indeed closely resemble an ant. The two most easily distinguishable features are its antennae and its wings. This insect has short antennae, typical of flies. Ants, on the other hand, have long, curved antennae.
As for its wings, this insect has one pair, while ants have two pairs. Other body parts also show differences. Their legs are also different, ants have sturdy, slightly stocky legs, while this insect has slender, long legs.
| Latin name | Genus Plagiostenopterina |
|---|---|
| Observation date | 7 Feb, 2026 |
| Camera used | realme 7 Pro |
| Photographers | @reachdreams |
| Location | Aceh, Indonesia |
| Link to original community |
|---|
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/337615857
| Latitude | Longitude | Map |
|---|---|---|
| 4.695135 | 96.7493993 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=4.695135&mlon=96.7493993 |
