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Melangyna novaezelandiae
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Melangyna novaezelandiae
Family Syrphidae
This is a very common hoverfly in New Zealand,and endemic to this country,but,as yet,I've been able to find very little information about it.
As you can see,relative to the size of the daisy,it is quite a small fly.
It is also known to feed on,and pollinate more species of flower than any other kind of New Zealand hoverfly.
Hover Flies are also know as Flower Flies. Some species are called Drone Flies. Hover Flies may sometimes confused with stinging bees or wasps because of their mimic colour (Batesian mimics of Hymenoptera). Their bodies are slender, from small to medium in size. On their abdomen there are the yellow-black wasps pattern and the narrow waist mimic pattern. Hover Flies visit flowers as bees and wasps. They are major pollinators of some flower plants. They are usually seen hovering or resting on flowers. The flies feed on nectar and are the pollinators of plants as well.
Like most other flies, Hover Flies have very large eyes and short antenna. They have one pair of wings which are clear in colour.
Most larvae of the Hover Flies are predators of many soft body insects such as aphids, scale insects, thrips, and caterpillars. We sometimes see the Hover Flies searching for the aphids. Beside nectar, Hover Flies feed on honey dew produced by aphids as well. Some species of Hover Flies lay eggs near the aphids colony. Their maggot-like larvae are the predators of aphids.
Some larvae in this family live in ant nests, where they live as scavengers or predators.
Both flies in Hover flies family and Bee Flies (Bombyliidae) family mimic bees. The main character to recognize between them is Bee Flies have longer wings. Hover Flies have shorter wings with a series of closed cell on the wings hind margins.
(from Brisbane insects.com)
Taken on a mini-tripod using the Raynox DCR 150 macro lens.
Hope you like it.
Cheers
Steve |
rcrick, soccer, JORAPAVI, haraprasan, Seabird has marked this note useful
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- rcrick
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 647 W: 42 N: 1198]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3854) - [2008-09-08 0:45]
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Hi Steve,
Wow excellent shot of this Hoverfly, suoerb detail, you can really see the hairs on the body, wonderful colours, excellent composition.
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- soccer
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 569 W: 0 N: 532]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1927) - [2008-09-08 1:31]
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Steve,
The composition, POV and detail of the subject in the posted pic are all great.
TFS,
Sheriff
Another great shot mate, nice and sharp and good detail, an interesting subject to, and I aggree you can see the hairs on the body which is pretty awesome.
Cheers
Nicki
Hola Steve,
Magnífica captura con buena nitidez y excelentes texturas en una composición en la que se aprecian muy bien los detalles, saludos
José Ramón
Namastay Steve,
A nice capture of this beautiful hover fly. Superb details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Sincerely
Hara
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- Mana
(16816)
- [2008-09-08 5:46]
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Hi Steve,
Outstanding close-up shot of this Hoverfly with very impressive sharpness, colours and details. Superb lighting effects and I like its pose. Excellent POV to portray it and a fine composition. Thanks for sharing this image.
Sumon
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- joey
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1815 W: 243 N: 5988]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(21340) - [2008-09-08 7:24]
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Hi Steve,
a super-duper macro of this hoverfly!
Stunning detail.
Excellent composition.
I can't find the I.D. though :-(
I'm sure someone will be able to find it.
Great work again mate!
Cheers,
Joe
Hi, Steve,
excellent capture with very nice details, colours and composition. tfs.
chrs,
Man Yee
