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Eristalis tenax
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758)
Diptera : Syrphidae
Common name: drone fly
Eristalis tenax is a European hoverfly, also known as the drone fly (or "dronefly"). The larva of E. tenax is a rat-tailed maggot. It lives in drainage ditches, pools around manure piles, sewage, and similar places containing water badly polluted with organic matter. The larva likely feeds on the abundant bacteria living in these places.
When fully grown, the larva creeps out into drier habitats and seeks a suitable place to pupate. In doing so it sometimes enters buildings, especially barns and basements on farms. The pupa is 10–12 mm long, grey-brown, oval, and retains the long tail; it looks like a tiny mouse.
The adult fly that emerges from the pupa is harmless. It looks somewhat like a drone honey bee, and likely gains some degree of protection from this resemblance to a stinging insect. The adults are called drone flies because of this resemblance. In its natural habitat, E. tenax is more of a curiosity than a problem. Like other hover flies, they are common visitors to flowers,and can be significant pollinators.
Like many other fly species, males can easily be distinguished from females because they have larger eyes that almost touch, while females have smaller eyes that are spaced further apart. That in picture is a female.
Their larvae occasionally are pests around livestock and cause accidental myiasis in humans. Myiasis occurs when fly larvae infest humans and other vertebrate animals and feed on the host's living tissue and is a common occurrence in certain other Dipteran species, such as bot flies (human bot fly, horse bot fly) and screwworms. |
mamcg, peter_stoeckl, marius-secan has marked this note useful
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- PeterZ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(49139) - [2016-06-13 8:04]
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Hello Nikos,
Nice macro in good sharpness and beautiful warm colors. Fine choice of composition.
Regards,
Peter
hallo Nikos
very nice composition -good sharpness and beautiful colours
thanks gr lou
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- lousat
(65489)
- [2016-06-13 15:10]
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Hi Nikos,perfect capture of this hoverfly,the sharpness is fantastic,and the location too,this pink beautiful flower is absolutely amazing,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano
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- mamcg
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 333 W: 13 N: 91]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(9843) - [2016-06-13 20:47]
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I don't know about the species insects but the compo attracts me, charming.
Hello Nikos,
Thanks for visiting my gallery. Another interesting image with excellent clarity and sharp details. The photographers note are interesting. I like the natural colors.
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.
Ciao Nikos, great macro of beautiful hoverfly on nice flower, fine details, wonderful natursl colors snd splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
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- tuslaw
(19883)
- [2016-06-14 18:40]
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Hello Nikos,
Great shot of this beautifully colored Hoverfly. I like the off center composition and sharp focus you managed to obtain. Exposure is just right.
Ron
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2007 W: 0 N: 5412]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(29598)