by Matthew Cobb
This photo was tw**ted by @JackDAshby. Jack’s Tw*tter bio says: “Manager of @GrantMuseum of Zoology at UCL. Chaser of furry things. Fan of natural science engagement. Australian mammal nerd.” This is a Little broad-nosed bat (Scotorepens greyii), which is found in north-western Australia. This one has an insect friend. But where? I warn you, this one is very difficult – Jack had to tell me where to look.
Sub
I give up.
I think I see it. But I aint telling except for a clue: It is camouflaged.
Actually, the ‘bat fly’ is a lot harder to see than the ‘bat not fly’. Ba- dum-Ch!!
It’s right on the center of the bat’s body – circled here: http://i.imgur.com/8BYd6YS.jpg
I noticed that bit of smudge in the fur and was going to raise my hand, but I lost my nerve.
Ha! Me too!
But how did people know with confidence that the smudge was the fly?
I knew without confidence until the answer was given.
This is exactly why I’m not a lab scientist. I’d be tormented by smudges unless I had some previous knowledge that clued me into whether smudges in images are meaningful. Another job that seems baffling: radiologist.
[I’m trying to remember how to do the theme to 1960s Batman in ASCII] !Kapow! (close enough)
The smudge that appears to be on it’s back … matches shape and orientation with the on on the right (our view) flank, and I deduce them to be knees.
Ah. Under the neck. About on a line from hand/wrist to the reflector in the middle of the ear, on the profile of the neck/ shoulder.
Let’s see Richard’s pick … that Bat-fly (!Kapow!) would be the first fly I’ve seen with a ginger body or wings. Disagree.
I couldn’t find it until I did an image search for “bat fly”. Then it stood out right away.
Ooh, that turns up some pretty cool pictures!