Bee FliesBee Flies Index Anthrax (Bee Fly) Tolkunia hibisc Balaana Beefly Cryomyia sp Ligyra Neosardus cosmus
Previously described as Australiphthiria, these bee flies have been identified as Tolkunia hibisci (Micro Bee Fly, family Mythicomyiidae) on Sturt’s Desert Rose (Gossypium sturtianum var. sturtianum).
These are very small insects that have been photographed here in Alice Springs.
It has been suggested they belong to the family Bombyliidae and previously suggested belonging to the genus Pygocona or genus Australiphthiria. Amendment: have now been identified to Tolkunia hibisci.
I have witness over 50 of them, none of them have the wings apart when at rest, they are always folded over their abdomen. Their abdomen is also more rounded. Our observations uploaded to iNaturalistAU are now ID to species Tolkunia hibisci.
Olive Pink Botanic Garden NT
They seem to favour the flowers of the family Malvaceae, both genus Gossypium and Radyera.
Olive Pink Botanic Garden NT
The species Tolkunia hibisci were also seen sharing the same flowers with other insects such as the Apis Mellifera.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Subclass: Pterygota
- Order: Diptera
- Suborder: Brachycera
- Infraorder: Orthorrhapha
- Superfamily: Asiloidea
- Family: Mythicomyiidae
- Subfamily: Psiloderoidinae
- Genus: Tolkunia
- Species: Tolkunia hibisci
Footnote & References
- Many thanks for ID to Chris Lambkin (chris-lambkin) of iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/109521160
- Tolkunia hibisci, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/1602273-Tolkunia-hibisci
- Tolkunia hibisci, ausemade, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/107031061
replacing ID genus Australiphthiria, ausemade, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/109521160
Bee FliesBee Flies Index Anthrax (Bee Fly) Tolkunia hibisc Balaana Beefly Cryomyia sp Ligyra Neosardus cosmus
DipteraDiptera Index Drone Flies and Hover Flies Flies Pollinators and Flies The Eyes of Flies Australian Sheep Blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) Australian Drain Fly Bat Flies Bee Flies Bee Flies Index Anthrax (Bee Fly) Tolkunia hibisc Balaana Beefly Cryomyia sp Ligyra Neosardus cosmus Chrysomya saffranea Clogmia (Moth Fly) Eristalinus punctulatus Exorista, Fly Miltinus stenogaster Musca Odontomyia (Soldier Flies) Odontomyia Index Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly) Physiphora alceae Physocephala australiana Robber Flies Sarcophaga aurifrons Soldier Fly Syrphidae Syrphids Common Halfband (Melangyna viridiceps) Yellow-shouldered Stout Hover Fly (Simosyrphus grandicornis) Therevidae
InsectsInsects Life Cycle… Bees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Mantodea Moths Neuroptera Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub
