Beefly, Erstalis tenax

A Beefly, (Erstalis tenax), feeding on nectar from a rose flower.

1/200 - f/5 - ISO64 - macro
 

Flies as Pollinators

 

This Green Blow fly (Lucilia cuprina), is feeding on the flower of Garlic Chives. Flies are second only to bees when it comes to pollination and are the main pollinators of Cacao trees from which chocolate is made. Unlike honeybees, flies don’t need to carry pollen and nectar back to a hive, they visit flowers to sip on the nectar themselves.

1/500 - f/7.1 - ISO200 - macro

Fruit Fly (f. Tephritidae)

 

A major agricultural problem for fruit growers in Australia is Fruit fly, (f. Tephritidae). These flies inhabit fruits and vegetables to which they cause severe destruction and degradation. There are strict border controls in place for the transport of fruit across state borders in Australia.

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1/200 - f/8 - ISO100 - macro - diffused flash

Slender Ringtail

 

The Odonata are an order of flying insects that includes the dragonflies and damselflies. The Slender Ringtail, (Austrolestes analis), is active through Spring to Autumn in most southern parts of Australia.

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1/200 - f/9 - ISO100 - diffused flash - macro

Not A Bee - Drone Fly

 

These large Drone flies, (Eristalis tenax), are often mistaken for bees, but are easily distinguished by their larger size and eyes. It is the most widely distributed syrphid species in the world, and is known from all regions except the Antarctic.

1/200 - f/9 - ISO200 - +10 close-up filter

Long Legged Macro

 

Macro photograph of a Long Legged Fly, (Condylostylus longicornis), resting on a leaf of  clover.

1/200 - f/9 - ISO200 - diffused flash - reversed 55mm

Flies, Flies and more Flies

 

This time of year in Australia, flies are everywhere. Most people don't realise just how many different types of flies there are. The four examples above are from left, Hoverfly (f. Syrphinae), Tachinid fly (f. Tachinidae), Flesh fly (f. Sarcophagidae), and Blow fly (Lucilia cuprina).

Hoverfly, Bush fly, Flesh fly: 1/200 - f/8 - ISO100 - diffused flash

Blow fly: 1/200 - f/10 - ISO400