Fly with a hole...

[DaveAP]

It wasn't until later, when I was reviewing my photos, that I noticed this fly has a big hole in its abdomen. Is it likely to be from a parasite do you think?

[url=https://flic.kr/p/MGna2j]Fly with hole in abdomen by David Poulton, on Flickr[/URL]

 

[ancient_mariner]

Could be a 'birth' defect - the oening looks smoother than I'd expect from parasitic munching.

 

[HarryLens]

Nice detailed shot. Don't know about the hole though.

 

[davholla]

No idea about the hole, but a very good photo.

 

[GardenersHelper]

Nice detail of the fly. I think the hole might be the result of a parasite emerging. In this thread you can see a parasite emerging from a bee, leaving a smooth-edged hole around a cavity in the bee's abdomen.

 

[DaveAP]

I guess we will never know but its interesting to hear the possibilities.