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While out last week on a plant survey, I couldn't help stop when I saw the beeflies. I was surprised at how many different species there were as we do not have many flowering plants around at the moment. This one caught my eye with its tiny head and stripey abdomen.
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I was fortunate enough to see two of these beeflies having a battle. It is a large beefly with strong vein markings on the wings. I heard the two males (I presume) first and they were flying and crashing into each other. One sat down for a little while allowing me to move in for a couple of photos before he buzzed off very fast. I notice he has damage on both wings.
Comptosia aurescens ID with thanks Michael Jefferies. See Michael's comment on
www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/16228974915/
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Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia
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Passchendaele, Queensland, Australia
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A very impressive beefly ~20mm long in close vicinity to the flowering
Grevillea stenopteraThe males were protecting their areas and buzzing loudly as they flew, attacking any other insect visitor. A number of stick perches were available for them to take advantage of.
Comptosia xanthobasis ID with thanks Michael JefferiesRelated closely to
Comptosia aurescens
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Girraween, Queensland, Australia
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Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia
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Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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Spring Creek, Queensland, Australia
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I was fortunate enough to see two of these beeflies having a battle. It is a large beefly with strong vein markings on the wings. I heard the two males (I presume) first and they were flying and crashing into each other. One sat down for a little while allowing me to move in for a couple of photos before he buzzed off very fast. I notice he has damage on both wings. Comptosia aurescens ID with thanks Michael Jefferies. See Michael's comment below.
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Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia
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Passchendaele, Queensland, Australia
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A very impressive beefly ~20mm long in close vicinity to the flowering
Grevillea stenopteraThe males were protecting their areas and buzzing loudly as they flew, attacking any other insect visitor. A number of stick perches were available for them to take advantage of.
Comptosia xanthobasis ID with thanks Michael JefferiesRelated closely to
Comptosia aurescens
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Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia
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A large Bee-fly found in SW Australia, south from Geraldton. Photographed in Hammond Park, Perth, in January last year
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Queensland, Australia
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Royal National Park, New South Wales, Australia
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Comptosia gemina. This species is unusual compared with any other Comptosia species for its wing markings, most Comptosia with patterened wings have the tips clear or white. The band on tergite 1 is also distinctive. Confined to SW WA as far inland as Coolgardie. Long flight season. Quote from Michael Jefferies
www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/5278517385/ Photos: jean
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Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia