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Panoramic images of wildlife from vertebrates down to invertebrates such as birds and butterflies.

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Noon Fly_Mesembriana meridiana 01

Photographed on the Friday 22 May 2015.
The Noon Fly (Mesembriana meridiana) gets its name from being often observed feeding on umbelifers on rides and fields and basking in the sun on leaves and fences, trees etc. as can be seen here. Belonging to the Insecta, Order Diptera, suborder Brachycera, Family Muscidae and Genus Mesembrina. It is easily recognised by the strong orange markings at the wing base and orange colouration on the face and feet. A member of what is known as ‘House Flies’, it is unlikely that you will find this fly near homes in general. It prefers cattle-rearing pastures and areas where it lays its eggs in cow dung along with many other invertebrates and worms, up to 200 different species. The Noon Fly is unusual in that it only lays about 5 eggs of which only one is laid in any particular cow-pat. The larvae that develop from the egg are carnivorous and feed on other larvae present in the dung. By only laying one egg in each pat it avoids predating its own offspring. It is known as a house fly due to its synanthropy (species of various kinds including plants that live near and benefit from an association with humans and our habitats).
Information can be found here:
http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/noon-fly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesembrina_meridiana
http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/116148
http://www.dipteristsforum.org.uk/t2835-Diptera-Checklist.html

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