New Zealand Invertebrates

DSC_4102 Small hoverfly (Melanostoma fasciatum) female on ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) flower. This endemic hoverfly is an agile flier and can hover in one place as it visits flowers to feed on nectar and pollen. It is present throughout New Zealand, where it occurs in grassland, gardens and other habitats with low growing vegetation. Its larvae are carnivorous, and feed on aphids, caterpillars and other small insects. Dunedin *

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DSC_4102 Small hoverfly (Melanostoma fasciatum) female on ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) flower. This endemic hoverfly is an agile flier and can hover in one place as it visits flowers to feed on nectar and pollen. It is present throughout New Zealand, where it occurs in grassland, gardens and other habitats with low growing vegetation. Its larvae are carnivorous, and feed on aphids, caterpillars and other small insects. Dunedin *

DSC 4102 Small hoverfly Melanostoma fasciatum female ragwort flower endemic hoverfly New Zealand garden Dunedin