Common Hover Fly

Melangyna viridiceps

Bug Life Native IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

These flies can fly fast, but they often pause to hover above flowers. The adult flies feed on pollen and nectar which they gather from flowers, while the larvae feed on aphids.
It is a slim bodied fly with reddish brown eyes, dark thorax and black and yellow banded abdomen. The larvae is brownish grub. This fly is sometimes mistaken for a wasp.

Size

up to around 15 mm

Habitat

Various habitats including parks, gardens, woodland

Distribution

It is found widely across Eastern Australia including Tasmania

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (2)
  1. OzAnimals.com Australian Wildlife (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
  2. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)

Header image: CC BY-SA 4.0 © Ricardo Simao

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.