Stiletto Fly (Thereva nobilitata)

Photographed on the Friday 08 July 2016.
This an image of a fly nicely composed with a diffused background and simple uncluttered environment that contrasts nicely with the colour of the fly. However, with relatively few exceptions this is not good for determining species or even genus. Fortunately I recorded another image from a different angle to allow for identification, which is necessary for wildlife competitions. In all probability this could be a male Stiletto Fly (Thereva nobilitata) as it does not have an extended pointed abdomen though the eyes are not holoptic so difficult to be sure. However, the abdomen of these flies does taper backwards, hence the name of Stiletto Fly. This fly belongs to the Class Insecta, Order Diptera, Superfamily Asiloidea, Family Therevidae and Genus Thereva.
Therevidae are a family of flies consisting of about 1 600 described species worldwide. They are most diverse in arid regions with sandy soils. They larvae are predatory and it is the adult form of the larvae that overwinters. As can be seen here the setae above the mouth part are covered in this case soft bristles. Little is known about the Therevidae except they resemble most Brachycera both in morphology and ethology.
All flies belong to the Order Diptera or True flies with the name being derived from Greek di (two) & ptera (wings). Diptera is a large order comprising an estimated one million species worldwide. Insects of this order use only two pairs of wings to fly with the hind wings reduced to what is known as Halteres. Halteres detect body movement and rotation in flight which the fly uses to correct its position in space while flying, effectively acting as a balance and guidance system. Flies have been known as carriers of disease and pathogens particularly in tropical regions but this only applies to some flies e.g. mosquitos etc., perhaps what is less known is that flies are important pollinators second only to bees and relatives.
More information can be found he

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