Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

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Common stiletto fly - Thereva nobilitata - Family: Therevidae

Common stiletto fly - Thereva nobilitataCommon stiletto fly - Thereva nobilitata
© Roger Key/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

This fly has a long brown hairy body with slender legs. The adults, conspicuous with their golden hairs, can be found sitting quietly on open ground or vegetation, and are often netted from tree foliage.

The larvae, found in bare, friable or sandy soil may feed on decaying material in the soil or sometimes even become predators. This fly is widespread in Britain but, despite its name, not actually common.

Food

Larvae are omnivorous.

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