These fruit flies are beautifully patterned, often brightly coloured, particularly the eyes. They are NOT the same as the fruit flies we get around fruit in our houses. One theory for the black and white banded wings on flies in this family is that to predators they resemble jumping spiders when seen from behind (the banded wings look like the banded legs of many jumpers). Who knows? But again, isn't it an interesting example, if true, of mimicry?