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Fred photographed this beautiful Miltinus stenogaster yesterday. He was watching it as it flew away and saw what he thought was a robber fly clasp it out of the sky. They both dropped to a small sedge nearby. He thought this one was going to be eaten for dinner. But the supposed predator turned out to be another friendly mydid fly who had other ideas.Fred said he was lucky to record the two mating.Photos: Fred
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The Astartea plants which grow in the wetlands attract many beautiful insects including this wonderful fly. It is around 2.5cm long and behaves very much like a wasp, including buzzing if you get too close. It is a flower feeding fly. Magnificent to see. This one is for you
Jorge.
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Miltinus stenogaster
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It was great to find these Diochlistus mitis. Such handsome Mydid flower flies that we had not seen before. These were flying low to the ground among low open shrubs on white sandy soil in Banksia menziesii open woodland. This environment had been burned about two years ago and the resulting shrub regrowth was coloured with flowers that provided food for the flies. On a 25 degree day the flies were very active. At times they were seen resting momentarily on the warm sand. These can be identified by the distinctive wing venation and the colourful yellow markings on the abdomens. Length around 20 mm. As far as we know these flies are rarely seen.Thanks to Xuankun Li and Chris Cohen for the identification.Photos: Jean and Fred
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Great to find these Diochlistus mitis, handsome flower flies we had not seen before. These were flying low to the ground among low open shrubs on white sandy soil in Banksia menziesii open woodland. This environment had been burned about two years ago and the resulting shrub regrowth was coloured with flowers that provided food for the flies. On a 28 degree day the flies were very active. At times they were seen resting momentarily on the warm sand. These can be identified by the distinctive wing venation and the colourful yellow markings on the abdomens. Length around 20 mm. As far as we know these flies are rarely seen.Thanks to Xuankun Li and Chris Cohen for the identification.Photos: Jean and Fred
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Great to find these Diochlistus mitis, handsome flower flies we had not seen before. These were flying low to the ground among low open shrubs on white sandy soil in Banksia menziesii open woodland. This environment had been burned about two years ago and the resulting shrub regrowth was coloured with flowers that provided food for the flies. On a 28 degree day the flies were very active. At times they were seen resting momentarily on the warm sand. These can be identified by the distinctive wing venation and the colourful yellow markings on the abdomens. Length around 20 mm. As far as we know these flies are rarely seen.Thanks to Xuankun Li and Chris Cohen for the identification.Photos: Jean and FredBest viewed at full size. Click on the photo to enlarge the photo. Use your back button on your browser!
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Great to find these Diochlistus mitis, handsome flower flies we had not seen before. These were flying low to the ground among low open shrubs on white sandy soil in Banksia menziesii open woodland. This environment had been burned about two years ago and the resulting shrub regrowth was coloured with flowers that provided food for the flies. On a 28 degree day the flies were very active. At times they were seen resting momentarily on the warm sand. These can be identified by the distinctive wing venation and the colourful yellow markings on the abdomens. Length around 20 mm. As far as we know these flies are rarely seen.Thanks to Xuankun Li and Chris Cohen for the identification.Photos: Jean and Fred
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Great to find these Diochlistus mitis, handsome flower flies we had not seen before. These were flying low to the ground among low open shrubs on white sandy soil in Banksia menziesii open woodland. This environment had been burned about two years ago and the resulting shrub regrowth was coloured with flowers that provided food for the flies. On a 28 degree day the flies were very active. At times they were seen resting momentarily on the warm sand. These can be identified by the distinctive wing venation and the colourful yellow markings on the abdomens. Length around 20 mm. As far as we know these flies are rarely seen.Thanks to Xuankun Li and Chris Cohen for the identification.Photos: Jean and Fred
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Great to find these Diochlistus mitis, handsome flower flies we had not seen before. These were flying low to the ground among low open shrubs on white sandy soil in Banksia menziesii open woodland. This environment had been burned about two years ago and the resulting shrub regrowth was coloured with flowers that provided food for the flies. On a 28 degree day the flies were very active. At times they were seen resting momentarily on the warm sand. These can be identified by the distinctive wing venation and the colourful yellow markings on the abdomens. Length around 20 mm. As far as we know these flies are rarely seen.Thanks to Xuankun Li and Chris Cohen for the identification.Photos: Jean and Fred
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It was great to find these Diochlistus mitis, handsome flower flies we had not seen before. These were flying low to the ground among low open shrubs on white sandy soil in Banksia menziesii open woodland. This environment had been burned about two years ago and the resulting shrub regrowth was coloured with flowers that provided food for the flies. On a 28 degree day the flies were very active. At times they were seen resting momentarily on the warm sand. These can be identified by the distinctive wing venation and the colourful yellow markings on the abdomens. Length around 20 mm. As far as we know these flies are rarely seen.Thanks to Xuankun Li and Chris Cohen for the identification.Photos: Jean and Fred
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Predation of a mydas fly by a paper wasp (Polistes watti). Photo Credit: Brigitte Howarth, Emirates Natural History Group/Zayed University
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Detail of female ovipositing eggs by placing abdomen deep into the sand dune. Photo Credit: Brigitte Howarth, Emirates Natural History Group/Zayed University
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Female looking for a ovipositing site (a place to lay eggs).Photo Credit: Brigitte Howarth, Emirates Natural History Group/Zayed University
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Trail of female walking over sand dune laying eggs (ovipositing) at several sites along the trail.Photo Credit: Brigitte Howarth, Emirates Natural History Group/Zayed University
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Female looking for a ovipositing site (a place to lay eggs).Photo Credit: Brigitte Howarth, Emirates Natural History Group/Zayed University
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Pozieres, Queensland, Australia
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Pozieres, Queensland, Australia
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Pozieres, Queensland, Australia
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California, United States
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Cumberland Island
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Cumberland Island
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Florida, United States
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Christmas, Florida, United States
