The fly that came into the cold.
Jan 15th, 2009 by Duncan
Well, perhaps not the cold, but the less hot anyway, can’t spoil a good title, and there wasn’t just one, but hundreds escaping the heat in the car port and the verandah. The majority were the ones you normally chase with a fly swat, but this spectacular long-legged tachinid fly, Senostoma longipes is a beneficial insect preying on other insects and spiders in the garden and around the house, and appears in summer.
Small robber flies came in too, to take a break from the 39 degree temperature.
The less said about these the better, although they’ve got their part to play.
It wasn’t only flies that were feeling the heat, several Senecio moths also flew in to land on the cool bricks and tiles, the first I’ve seen since last summer.
As I write the cool change hasn’t arrived, it’s running very late, but the insects think it’s OK and have flown the coop. I’m off too, time for a cool drink.
Click to enlarge and press F11 for full size pictures.
Pictures from top,
Senostoma longipes
Robber fly species
Blow fly species
Senecio Moth, Nyctemera amicus.
A little heat would be very welcome in these parts! Found your blog via Snail’s. Very nice. Have a Happy New Year!
Welcome Dave, and thanks, all the best to you as well.
I’m getting fonder of flies as I learn more about them.
I can imagine how greatful those insects were for those cool bricks. I would have been there with them.
Hi Duncan
Your long-legged fly looks like a stinger to me. Some of them can give one a considerable nip when one is not looking.
I am slowly getting into flies, and some of them are spectacular – their huge compound eyes in particular.
Cheers
Denis
There’s interest in everything Snail, even blowies! I quite enjoy the hot days now simply because of the range of insects that turn up.
I haven’t had a nip from one of these Denis, and I’ve put a few out after they’ve come inside, perhaps they’re grateful! The eyes are my next photographic challenge.