Stiletto Fly

Description:

As the common name suggests, this handsome fly had long legs which, like the abdomen was brown in colour except for a section on the tarsi which was white. Thorax and head were black with a pale "v" shaped pattern on the thorax. Wings were tinted dark with a pale band across the middle of the wings. Legs showere short stiff setae. At first sight this fly looked like a slender brachonid or ichneumon wasp. this is suggestive of mimicry.

Habitat:

Spotted flying around a wattle tree in a park with mixed natives (Cardinia Reservoir Park).

Notes:

The larvae of these flies are parasitic on other insect larvae. They live in dry leaf litter and can burrow into soil if exposed to light. Adults feed on nectar, honeydew and pollen. Order: Diptera
Family: Therevidae