




Melanostoma mellinum
The Variable Duskyface Fly is a small, friendly insect that loves to buzz around flowers. It helps plants by spreading pollen while it visits them for food.
Habitat: Urban areas
The Variable Duskyface Fly has a sleek, black and yellow striped abdomen, giving it a wasp-like appearance. Its distinctive feature is a dark, almost black, face, contrasting with its clear wings and relatively large, dark eyes.





Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Despite its name, it loves sunshine and bright flowers!
Its larvae are tiny heroes, eating hundreds of garden pests!
They taste sweet nectar with a special straw-like mouthpart!
This fly is a master of disguise, looking just like a stinging bee!
Variable Duskyface Fly can stay perfectly still in mid-air because of powerful wing muscles, helping them spot flowers or mates.
Variable Duskyface Fly has a black and yellow striped body that makes it look like a wasp, tricking predators into staying away.
The Variable Duskyface Fly's larva can hunt and eat many tiny aphids, which helps protect plants from pests.
Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers; larvae are mighty hunters of aphids.
Age differences: Larvae are carnivorous, primarily consuming aphids, while adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers.
Aphis gossypii
Larvae actively hunt and consume these common garden pests.

Taraxacum officinale
Adult flies visit and transfer pollen between their flowers.
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Parus major
An important food source for many insectivorous birds.
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
These flies are safe and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
10-15 mm
5-8 mm
10-30 days
12 km/h
Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers; larvae are mighty hunters of aphids.
Urban areas
Foraging
6
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