| Mesembrina mystacea | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Muscidae |
| Tribe: | Muscini |
| Genus: | Mesembrina |
| Species: | M. mystacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Mesembrina mystacea (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
| Synonyms | |
Mesembrina mystacea is a fly belonging to the family Muscidae.
This species is present in the Palaearctic realm, from Fennoscandia south to Turkey and from the Atlantic seaboard across Eurasia to as far as Mongolia. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Mesembrina mystacea can reach a length of 9–12 millimetres (0.35–0.47 in). These large, distinctive flies are beautifully colored in black, yellow-brown and white. They have a stout body. The long body hairs are mostly black, but they show a band of fine yellow-brown short hairs anteriorly across the thoracic dorsum and dense brown hairs on the abdomen, with white hairs at the edge. Metathorax and abdomen are shiny black. Eyes are bare. A large orange colouration is present on the base of the wings. [1]
The species exhibits a certain sexual dimorphism. In fact the anterior yellow-brown thoracic band of hairs is much narrower in the male than in the female. Moreover, in the male the mid tibiae are curved with longer hairs, while in the females they are straight and without longe hairs. [1]
These flies closely mimic certain Bombus species (bumblebees) (Apidae family). They are very similar to the hoverflies Criorhina berberina and Pocota personata (Syrphidae). Superficially they also resemble the hoverfly Volucella bombylans . M. mystacea is the only bumble-bee mimic among the Mesembrina species present in western Europe. [1] [5]
Adults of Mesembrina mystacea can be found from June to September. The larvae feed on dung and dead material. In western Europe these flies are forest insects. They can be found in woodland or be grazed by cattle, in the Quercus, Fagus and Picea zones. [1] This species belongs to insects with complete metamorphosis which involves a pupal stage. [6]
Hoverflies, also called flower flies or syrphids, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae (maggots) eat a wide range of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprotrophs, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores and prey on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects.
Eristalis tenax, the common drone fly, is a common, migratory, cosmopolitan species of hover fly. It is the most widely distributed syrphid species in the world, and is known from all regions except the Antarctic. It has been introduced into North America and is widely established. It can be found in gardens and fields in Europe and Australia. It has also been found in the Himalayas.
Volucella bombylans is a large species of hoverfly belonging to the family Syrphidae.
Volucella zonaria, the hornet mimic hoverfly, is a species of hoverfly. These flies are capable of buzz pollination.
Syrphus ribesii is a very common Holarctic species of hoverfly. Its larvae feed on aphids. In common with many other species of hoverfly, males have the eyes meeting on the top of the head, whilst females have their eyes widely separated.
Mesembrina meridiana, sometimes known as the noon fly or noonday fly, is a species of fly in the family Muscidae.
Spilomyia sayi, the Four-lined Hornet Fly, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly. This species is found from western Canada to northeastern North America. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are known as the short-tailed larvae, suited for moist areas such as rot holes of trees. It is a wasp mimic.
Baccha is a genus of hoverflies in the subfamily Syrphinae. They are typically moderate sized with wasp-like bodies. Their larvae are predatory, often on aphids.
Parasyrphus is a genus of hover fly found in the holarctic area of the world including species like Parasyrphus tarsatus located in some very northern areas. Very few of the 31 identified species have known larvae. Of the known larvae most are predators of tree aphids with one, Parasyrphus nigritarsis, that feed on beetle eggs and larvae.
Platycheirus granditarsus, the Hornhand Sedgesitter, is a species of hoverfly. It is found in many parts of Britain North America and Europe. Typical habitat includes marshy meadows and ditches, where it can be found between May and October, though it is at its commonest between July and September. The most distinctive feature of this fly is the red-orange abdomen most easily seen as it takes off or alights.
Eristalis cryptarum is a holarctic species of hoverfly. Known as the bog hoverfly or bog-dwelling drone fly, it is a bog specialist but may occur in other wetlands. Its larvae are assumed to live in peat that is saturated with water, such as that found in these boggy areas. The female has been observed depositing eggs on and close to very fresh cow dung along oligotrophic seepages in moorland.
Epistrophe grossulariae is a Holarctic species of hoverfly.
Criorhina ranunculi, is a species of hoverfly found in the spring in many parts of Britain and Europe.
Platycheirus immarginatus, the Comb-legged Sedgesitter, is a common species of hoverfly. It is found in parts of northern Europe and northern North America.
Psila fimetaria is a species of fly, a member of the family Psilidae.
Zophomyia temula is a species of fly in the family Tachinidae.
Toxomerus politus, commonly known as the maize calligrapher, is a species of hoverfly. It is known from North, Central and South America. Although little is known about the early stages of this species, associations with corn have been noted. The adults and likely the larvae feed on the pollen of the corn plants.
Chrysotoxum flavifrons, the Blackshield Meadow Fly, is a species of North American hoverfly. They are wasp mimics.
Eristalis flavipes, the orange-legged drone fly, is a species of hoverfly native to North America. It flies from early April to mid-October, and occurs in a wide variety of habitats, particularly wetlands. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed type.
Spilomyia longicornis is a species of syrphid fly, also known as a flower fly or hoverfly, in the family Syrphidae. Although the appearance of S. longicornis is remarkably similar to a vespid wasp, it is a fly and cannot sting. It occurs in North America, east of the Rocky Mountains.
