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Variable duskyface

Variable duskyface

Melanostoma mellinum

A species of Melanostoma

Melanostoma mellinum is a very common species of hoverfly found in many parts of Britain, Europe including the Mediterranean basin and North Africa, the East Palearctic, and North America. A small species, their wingspan range recorded is between 4.7 and 7.0 mm. Very similar to Platycheirus and other Melanostoma species, but with close inspection of some finer details, it can be identified with certainty. Adult males closely resemble Platycheirus clypeatus, but lack the flattening or broadening of the front legs characteristic of most Platycheirus males. Females resemble female Melanostoma scalare, sharing similar triangular tergite markings, but have a shiny, black frons, which separates them from M. scalare and most Platycheirus species. Also, M. mellinum may prove to be a species complex. Their preferred habitat include grasslands and moorlands, including those in hilly and mountainous regions. Adults can be found feeding on the pollen of grasses (Poaceae) and other wind-pollinated plants. Little is known of their biology, but the larvae are suspected to be a general predator of small insects in leaf litter. Flight times in Britain and Ireland are from April to October with peaks in late May - early June and from July to August.

General Info About Variable duskyface
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Attributes of Variable duskyface
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Bronze
White
Habitat
grassland; moorland; hilly; mountainous region
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from flowers, pollen
Larva Food Source
Aphids, small caterpillars, thrips, mites
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Variable duskyface is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
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Species Status of Variable duskyface
Quite common and widespread
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Distribution Area of Variable duskyface
Many parts of Britain, Europe, North Africa, the East Palearctic, North America
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Life Cycle of Variable duskyface
Egg Eggs are small and laid in grouped clutches. They are often oval, with a surface that can vary from smooth to sculptured. The color usually blends with the environment, providing camouflage from predators.
Larva Larvae lack true legs and are maggot-like in shape. They undergo several molts, increasing in size each time. Larvae typically have a soft body, may possess a distinct head, and are often a different color from the adult.
Pupal The pupa is immobile and encapsulated within a puparium. It is during this stage that the variable duskyface undergoes significant transformation. The pupa may darken over time, indicating the approach of eclosion.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult variable duskyface’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Interesting Facts About Variable duskyface
Variable duskyface often mimic the coloration and behavior of harmful species, a clever survival tactic known as Batesian mimicry to deter predators.
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Scientific Classification of Variable duskyface
Tips for Finding Variable duskyface
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Youth Habitat of Variable duskyface
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Rotting and Decaying Matter
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Adult Habitat of Variable duskyface
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Gardens and Orchards
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How Can You Attract Variable duskyface
Since adult variable duskyface often visit flowers for nectar, sweet substances like sugar water or rotting fruit can be used as bait to attract them.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Variable duskyface
Warm and sunny weather with minimal wind is ideal for locating variable duskyface as they prefer conditions that are conducive to flight and foraging.
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How and Where Can You Find Variable duskyface at Different Life Stages
Larva Variable duskyface larvae are predators often found in damp environments preying on aphids. To find them, search under leaves or among plant stems where aphid colonies thrive.
Pupal During the variable duskyface pupal stage, they can be located attached to plants or other structures near their larval feeding sites. Look for the immobile, capsule-like forms in sheltered areas that provide protection from predators and the elements.
Adult Variable duskyface adults are flower visitors, mimicking bees, so to find them, visit flowering gardens or fields. They hover around blooms and can be spotted feeding on nectar. Observe carefully for insects that have hovering flight patterns near flowers.
Are Variable duskyface harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Variable duskyface
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Pollinator
Predators of Pests
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Smell
Variable duskyface is a beneficial pollinator that visits various flowers, primarily attracted by their vivid colors and enticing smells. While feeding on pollen, variable duskyface inadvertently collects pollen on its body and transfers it to other flowers, aiding in plant reproduction. This inadvertent pollination process is crucial for many ecosystems.
Predators of Pests
Purpose
Feed Itself
Diets
Aphids
Variable duskyface larvae are efficient predators of aphids, known to scour leaves and stems in search of these soft-bodied pests. They attack not for sport, but to satisfy their hunger. Unbeknownst to many, a single variable duskyface larva can consume hundreds of aphids, methodically controlling their populations in gardens and farms.
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