A female Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Worcester Co., Maryland (5/14/2014).

Photo by Mike Burchett MBP List

A male Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/30/2021).

View Record Details Photo by Jim Moore MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Flies mating in Howard Co., Maryland (6/2/2016).

View Record Details Photo by Bonnie Ott MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/22/2021). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 382983 - Psn: 21)

View Record Details Photo by Sergei Drovetski MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Kent Co., Maryland (5/28/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 386438 - Psn: 25)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Kent Co., Maryland (5/28/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/1/2021). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 575833 - Psn: 42)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/1/2021). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Emilio Concari MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Harford Co., Maryland (5/25/2013).

Photo by Bonnie Ott MBP List

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (5/27/2012).

Photo by Bonnie Ott MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Flies mating in Cecil Co., Maryland (6/1/2014).

Photo by Mark Johnson MBP List

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/29/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Barbara Thurlow MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (5/28/2018). (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 215004 - Psn: 52)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (5/28/2018). (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Ken-ichi Ueda via iNaturalist MBP List

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/2/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Fritz Flohr Reynolds MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (6/5/2021). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 575838 - Psn: 55)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (6/5/2021). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/24/2023). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 809456 - Psn: 55)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/24/2023). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/23/2019). (c) Hans Holbrook, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 575909 - Psn: 65)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/23/2019). (c) Hans Holbrook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Hans Holbrook MBP List

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly being eaten by a crab spider in Howard Co., Maryland (6/4/2016).

View Record Details Photo by Bonnie Ott MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/10/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 1191860 - Psn: 78)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/10/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Adrienne van den Beemt MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/6/2018). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 575987 - Psn: 88)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/6/2018). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/3/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>CC BY</a>). (Photo ID: 1191871 - Psn: 132)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/3/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (CC BY).

View Record Details Photo by Adrienne van den Beemt MBP List

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly collected in Laurel, Maryland (6/19/2013).

Photo by USGS PWRC MBP List

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly collected in Laurel, Maryland (6/19/2013).

Photo by USGS PWRC MBP List

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Harford Co., Maryland (5/28/2018).

View Record Details Photo by Josh Emm MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/26/2021). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 385491 - Psn: 200)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/26/2021). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/27/2021). (c) john4015, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 385745 - Psn: 200)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/27/2021). (c) john4015, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by john4015 via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Kent Co., Maryland (5/28/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Pamela Cowart-Rickman MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 579180 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by Sergei Drovetski MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/3/2023). (c) Tonyia Johnson, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 815447 - Psn: 200)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/3/2023). (c) Tonyia Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by tonyiajohnson via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/5/2022). (c) kary, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 1201081 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by karyorelicta via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/21/2023). (c) kary, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 1201084 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by karyorelicta via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Frederick Co., Maryland (5/29/2025). (c) sylvdownin, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 1307019 - Psn: 200)

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Frederick Co., Maryland (5/29/2025). (c) sylvdownin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by sylvdownin via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Harford Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) David Stutzman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by dstutz via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Washington Co., Maryland (6/1/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Washington Co., Maryland (6/1/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/25/2023). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

View Record Details Photo by Judy Gallagher MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/8/2022). (c) Dustin Welch, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Dustin Welch via iNaturalist MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/8/2022). (c) Ashley Rodeheaver, all rights reserved (Photo ID: 1446191 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by Ashley Rodeheaver MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved (Photo ID: 1446193 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by Kyle Klotz MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved (Photo ID: 1446194 - Psn: 200)

View Record Details Photo by Kyle Klotz MBP List

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Baltimore Co., Maryland (5/27/2020). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by Frode Jacobsen MBP List

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Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

A female Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Worcester Co., Maryland (5/14/2014). Media by Mike Burchett.

A male Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/30/2021). View Record Details Media by Jim Moore.

Golden-backed Snipe Flies mating in Howard Co., Maryland (6/2/2016). View Record Details Media by Bonnie Ott.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Kent Co., Maryland (5/28/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Pamela Cowart-Rickman.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/1/2021). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Emilio Concari.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Harford Co., Maryland (5/25/2013). Media by Bonnie Ott.

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (5/27/2012). Media by Bonnie Ott.

Golden-backed Snipe Flies mating in Cecil Co., Maryland (6/1/2014). Media by Mark Johnson.

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/29/2015). View Record Details Media by Barbara Thurlow.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (5/28/2018). (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Ken-ichi Ueda via iNaturalist.

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/2/2014). View Record Details Media by Fritz Flohr Reynolds.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Howard Co., Maryland (6/5/2021). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/24/2023). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/23/2019). (c) Hans Holbrook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Hans Holbrook.

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly being eaten by a crab spider in Howard Co., Maryland (6/4/2016). View Record Details Media by Bonnie Ott.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/10/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Adrienne van den Beemt.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/6/2018). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/3/2023). (c) Adrienne van den Beemt, some rights reserved (CC BY). View Record Details Media by Adrienne van den Beemt.

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly collected in Laurel, Maryland (6/19/2013). Media by USGS PWRC.

A Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Harford Co., Maryland (5/28/2018). View Record Details Media by Josh Emm.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/26/2021). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/27/2021). (c) john4015, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by john4015 via iNaturalist.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Kent Co., Maryland (5/28/2021). (c) pcowartrickmanphoto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Pamela Cowart-Rickman.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/3/2023). (c) Tonyia Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by tonyiajohnson via iNaturalist.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Frederick Co., Maryland (5/29/2025). (c) sylvdownin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by sylvdownin via iNaturalist.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Harford Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) David Stutzman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by dstutz via iNaturalist.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Washington Co., Maryland (6/1/2019). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/25/2023). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) View Record Details Media by Judy Gallagher.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/8/2022). (c) Dustin Welch, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Dustin Welch via iNaturalist.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly in Baltimore Co., Maryland (5/27/2020). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by Frode Jacobsen.

Source: Wikipedia

Chrysopilus thoracicus

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Rhagionidae
Subfamily:	Chrysopilinae
Genus:	Chrysopilus
Species:	C. thoracicus
Binomial name
*Chrysopilus thoracicus* (Fabricius, 1805)^[1]
Synonyms^[2]
Leptis thoracica Fabricius, 1805

Chrysopilus thoracicus, the golden-backed snipe fly, is a species of snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae.^[3]

It is usually found in woodland areas of the eastern part of North America.^[4]

Distribution

[edit]

Canada, United States

References

[edit]

^ Fabricius, Johann Christian (1805). Systema antliatorum secundum ordines, genera, species. Bransvigae: Apud Carolum Reichard. pp. i–xiv, 1–373. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
^ "Chrysopilus thoracicus (Fabricius, 1805)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
^ Kerr, Peter H. (2010). "Phylogeny and classification of Rhagionidae, with implications for Tabanomorpha (Diptera: Brachycera)". Zootaxa. 2592 (1): 1–133. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2592.1.1.
^ Eaton, Eric R.; Kaufman, Kenn (2007). Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 286. ISBN 9780618153107.

Taxon identifiers
Chrysopilus thoracicus	Wikidata: Q14718193 BOLD: 800538 BugGuide: 483 CoL: 5Z4L9 EoL: 738167 GBIF: 5079029 iNaturalist: 61492 ITIS: 130805 NatureServe: 2.1083797 NCBI: 124689 Open Tree of Life: 964292

This article related to members of the fly superfamily Rhagionoidea is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

Golden-backed Snipe Fly

Chrysopilus thoracicus (Fabricius, 1805)

Synonyms

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