A group of scientists has rediscovered the world's
rarest and strangest fly in a cave in Kenya, collecting the first
"terrible hairy fly" specimen since 1948, a statement said
Wednesday.
Dr Robert Copeland and fellow dipterist Dr Ashley Kirk-Spriggs
found the fly, known as Mormotomyia Hirsuta, in its only known
habitat, a cave-like rock cleft in Ukazi Hill east of Nairobi.
"The re-discovery of the species, which has been collected on
only two occasions before, in 1933 and 1948, has caused excitement
in insect museums world-wide," said the statement.
The mission was led by the International Centre of Insect
Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), an organisation which aims to
reduce poverty and improve health and food security by enhancing
tropical African countries' ability to harness their natural
resources through the study of insects.
The spider-like fly is described as "strange, due to its
relatively large size, the males of which can stretch over one
centimetre its long legs and covering of yellow hairs, reduced eyes
and its non-functional wings."
"Since Mormotomyia cannot fly, there is a strong possibility
that it is really restricted to this tiny habitat," Copeland
said.
"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.