ONH

Fruit Fly
Terellia occidentalis

  • 1755
  • 0502
  • 2938
  • 7566
  • 8062
  • 3166
  • P1140158
  • P1140521
  • P1140527
  • 1755
    1 - Edible Thistle, Cirsium edule.

    07/14/2017 Obstruction Point Area, Olympic National Park, Washington

  • 0502
    2 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    08/01/2012 Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic National Park, WA

  • 2938
    3 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    08/01/2012 Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic National Park, WA

  • 7566
    4 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    07/16/2013 Hurricane Hill Area, Olympic National Park, WA

  • 8062
    5 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    07/17/2013 Obstruction Point Road, Olympic National Park, Washington Near Cox Valley Trailhead

  • 3166
    6 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    07/17/2013 Obstruction Point Road, Olympic National Park, Washington Near Cox Valley Trailhead

  • P1140158
    7 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    07/17/2013 Obstruction Point Road, Olympic National Park, Washington Near Cox Valley Trailhead

  • P1140521
    8 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    07/19/2013 Obstruction Point Road, Olympic National Park, Washington

  • P1140527
    9 - Fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis.

    07/19/2013 Obstruction Point Road, Olympic National Park, Washington

The Edible Thistle, Cirsium edule, thrives in certain areas of the Hurricane Ridge area, around a mile high. It also grows at mid altitudes and lowlands. Native Americans in the area ate the roots and young shoots.

The showy flowers attract many insects, including this small fruit fly, Terellia occidentalis. (Not to be confused with Drosophila melanogaster, the famous laboratory fly, commonly called a fruit fly.)