# Variable Duskyface Fly (*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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Variable Duskyface Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melanostoma_mellinum_364664201.jpg&width=800) Photo: Claus Giloi, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melanostoma_mellinum_364664201.jpg) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Melanostoma ## Interesting facts - 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! ## Special abilities - **Precision Hovering:** Variable Duskyface Fly can stay perfectly still in mid-air because of powerful wing muscles, helping them spot flowers or mates. - **Clever Disguise:** Variable Duskyface Fly has a black and yellow striped body that makes it look like a wasp, tricking predators into staying away. - **Aphid Hunter Larva:** The Variable Duskyface Fly's larva can hunt and eat many tiny aphids, which helps protect plants from pests. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 10-15 mm - **Size:** 5-8 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding 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. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Aphids, Honeydew - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Larvae actively hunt and consume these common garden pests. - **Pollinates:** [Common Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Adult flies visit and transfer pollen between their flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — An important food source for many insectivorous birds. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These flies are safe and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Variable Duskyface Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Variable Duskyface Fly's wingspan? 10-15 mm ### How big is Variable Duskyface Fly? 5-8 mm ### How long does Variable Duskyface Fly live? 10-30 days ### How fast can Variable Duskyface Fly fly? 12 km/h ### What does Variable Duskyface Fly eat? Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers; larvae are mighty hunters of aphids. ### Where is Variable Duskyface Fly usually found? Urban areas ### How does Variable Duskyface Fly hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Salem Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salem-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Azalea State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/azalea-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Portland Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/portland-aquarium) — Oregon, US · Zoo [View all places to see Variable Duskyface Fly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/variable-duskyface-fly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Variable Duskyface Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/variable-duskyface-fly)