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Flower-feeding March Fly - Scaptia auriflua

Family Tabanidae

This page contains pictures and information about March Flies that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.

Body length 10mm
 
Most other female March Flies are blood sucker but this fly is flower feeder. Both male and female of this species feed on nectars only. 
 
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Female, body length 10mm  
 
The fly covered with dense hair and mimic a bee. They will buzz like a bee to try to scare you away. Picture taken in Yugarapul Park during early summer. There are many of them in the same area near the Bulimba Creek. Note the piercing mouthparts in front of the eyes.
 
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Male, body length 10mm  
 
Their eyes colour are different under different lighting conditions. Male March Fly's eyes always meet in the middle.
 
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Photo : Sandra Caldwell, Lake Macquarie
 
The above pictures was taken by Sandra Caldwell. There are more beautiful insect pictures in her web site Blooms and Beasties.
 
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Last updated: January 12, 2005.