Species: Locust Blowfly (Stomorhina lunata)
Family: Nose Flies (RHINIIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: One Sighting
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Nose Flies (RHINIIDAE)
The Rhiniidae family of blow flies include some 370 species worldwide. They are small to large, robustly-built flies. They frequent vegetation, flowers, excrement or decaying matter. Larvae are often parasitic. They are usually of medical, veterinary or forensic interest because of their breeding or feeding habits.
C. Locust Blowfly (Stomorhina lunata)
The Locust Blowfly is often mistaken for a hoverfly - because of its size and abdominal colouring. It is similar to a common housefly, but has a prominent proboscis.
This fly gains its name because its larvae are predatory of the eggs of major African agricultural pests, especially the South African Brown Locust, the Desert Locust and the Migratory Locust. They are therefore migratory and in Britain are considered to be rare vagrants, only recently being seen in southern England. This phenomenon is assumed to be related to climate change. What the larvae of these insects feed on in England has not yet been ascertained. As yet, there are no records of this fly's larvae predating British grasshoppers or bush-crickets.
It is seen in England between June and October.
Images
Locust Blowfly (Stomorhina lunata)
The Locust Blowfly is often mistaken for a hoverfly - because of its size and abdominal colouring. It is similar to a common housefly, but has a prominent proboscis.
Locust Blowfly (Stomorhina lunata)
This fly gains its name because its larvae are predatory of the eggs of major African agricultural pests, especially the South African Brown Locust, the Desert Locust and the Migratory Locust. They are therefore migratory and in Britain are considered to be rare vagrants, only recently being seen in southern England. This phenomenon is assumed to be related to climate change.
Locust Blowfly (Stomorhina lunata)
What the larvae of these insects feed on in England has not yet been ascertained. As yet, there are no records of this fly's larvae predating British grasshoppers or bush-crickets.
