The common hoverfly Myathropa florea, known as the Yellow-haired Sunfly, has more recently been referred to as the Batman hoverfly because of the skull-like pattern on the thorax being like the batman symbol. This harmless fly is an example of ‘Batesian mimicry’ where the yellow and black stripes on the abdomen can confuse would-be predators mistaking it for a wasp.
Myathropa florea is widespread and abundant in woodlands, parks and gardens, visiting many different species of flowers to feed on pollen and nectar. Following mating, eggs are laid in stagnant water where, on hatching, the emerging larvae feed on bacteria present in the waterlogged detritus. These larvae are known as ‘rat-tailed’ maggots because of an extended breathing tube at the end of the body which allows them to forage in water.
This is a focus-stacked image.
