Nemestrinus rufipes is a very large species of fly which is found the Middle East. It has been recorded from Algeria to Qatar[1] and Egypt.[2][3] As with the rest of the family, little is known about this species. Its behaviour resembles that of a bee-fly in adult and possibly larval stages. The fly has a wingspan of almost 5 centimetres and a body length estimated to be more than 3 and a half centimetres. It is possibly the largest species of fly in the Old World.[citation needed]
| Nemestrinus rufipes | |
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| Species: | N. rufipes
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| Nemestrinus rufipes (Olivier, 1810)
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Nemestrina rufipes Olivier, 1810 | |
It hovers, and can be mistaken for a hummingbird or a hawkmoth due to its size, flight, and very long extendable proboscis. It feeds on many flowers, including wild radish and bougainvillea; whilst the larval life cycle remains unknown, it is likely an endoparasite of Orthoptera like other members of its family.
References
edit- ^ R.M. ABDU; NAGAT F. SHAUMAR (1985). "A PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE INSECT FAUNA OF QATAR" (PDF). Qatar Univ. Sci. Bull. 5: 215–232. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Nemestrinus rufipes (Olivier, 1810)". Gbif.org. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Nomenclator Detail Record". Diptera.org. Retrieved 24 March 2022.