[NatureNS] Hover, Blow & Bee Mimic Flies

Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:14:26 -0300
To: NatureNS@chebucto.ns.ca
From: Angus MacLean <angusmcl@ns.sympatico.ca>
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I found this Hover Fly about two weeks ago at Smiley Provincial Park. 
I believe it to be Eristalis dimidiata which is known to be active 
early. (I also found it last October 1 in Coldbrook so it has a long 
season!). Since then I have found it to be quite common in the 
Coldbrook area. It has an unusual habit of twitching its abdomen when perched.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58321572@N00/519026103/

Although this one acted like a bee while feeding I could not find a 
match for it. I wonder if it might be a Bee-Mimic, i.e. a Robber Fly. 
Any thoughts?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58321572@N00/519049089/

This Green Bottle Fly is very common in gardens and elsewhere & in 
fact, can hardly be missed if you're outdoors. This one appears to be 
Lucilia illustris based on its face markings. Based on their 
development, Blow Fly species are used by forensic scientists to 
determine time of death & thus help to solve crimes. I understand 
their larvae (maggots) are used to clean up difficult wounds in 
living flesh and bone!!

Here is one smaller image:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58321572@N00/530236400/

And an enlarged image that reveals every detail:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=530236400&size=o

Angus

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