World’s rarest and strangest fly rediscovered in Kenya

The 'Hairy fly' is the only known member of its family, and hasn't been seen since 1948

December 2010. Dr. Robert Copeland, a scientist with the institute of "African Insect Science for Food and Health" (icipe), and a fellow dipterist (fly scientist) Mr. Ashley Kirk-Spriggs from National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa, have re-discovered the world's rarest and strangest fly, known as Mormotomyia hirsuta, or the "terrible, hairy fly". The two scientists found the fly in its only known location; a single cave-like rock cleft in Ukazi Hill, along the Thika-Garissa Road, in Kenya. Pending further study, should the fly be found to be restricted to this tiny habitat, there is a possibility that the entire Ukazi Hill could be declared a national heritage site.

Fly only ever seen twice
The re-discovery of the species, which has been collected on only two previous occasions in 1933 and 1948, has caused excitement among insect taxonomists and the general public world-wide. The relatively large fly (males of which can stretch over one centimetre) is very bizarre looking. With its body and long legs clothed in yellow hairs, its eyes dramatically reduced in size, and non-functional strap-like wings, Mormotomyia resembles a spider more than an insect.

The fly's re-discovery by is even more significant as the family to which Mormotomyia hirsuta belongs is considered to be the world's rarest, having just 1 member species.

"The fly is so strange that nobody is really sure where it belongs in the phylogeny of the entire order of Diptera. The fresh material we collected is already on its way to molecular geneticists who will help to figure this out," said Dr. Copeland. "Since Mormotomyia cannot fly, there is a strong possibility that it is really restricted to this tiny habitat. If that is the case, it would be wonderful if the entire Ukazi Hill, on which it is found, were declared a national heritage area and given suitable conservation protection." He added.

Other members of the re-discovery expedition included Dr. Bruno Leru, Christophe Planton, and Leornard Mmasava, all of icipe, and Juliet Muriuki.

The hairy fly is known from this single cave in Kenya.