Malometasternum rufocaudatum

1 A bee-mimic hover fly at Higgins, ACT

Malometasternum rufocaudatum at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022
Malometasternum rufocaudatum at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022
Malometasternum rufocaudatum at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022
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Identification history

Malometasternum rufocaudatum 16 Jun 2023 MichaelMulvaney
Unidentified 15 Jun 2023 AlisonMilton

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7 comments

   16 Jun 2023
That fly is a great bee mimic and one that I have not come across before. I will be interested to learn exactly what it is. (The antennae give it away.)
michaelb wrote:
   16 Jun 2023
Moved to Unidentified Diptera
   16 Jun 2023
I am informed that it is Malometasternum rufocaudatum.
RogerF wrote:
   16 Jun 2023
Well spotted Alison. I've never seen this bee mimic either. Looks like its a Megachile hackeri mimic but is smaller. Obviously a pollen feeder like most Syrphids. Is it on A. genistifolia? Co-ordinates not quite right -middle of road.
AlisonMilton wrote:
   17 Jun 2023
Hi Roger, I've corrected the location. The plant it was feeding on is more likely Acacia dealbata though I can't be sure that's completely accurate. There are two mature buses just a few minutes from my place so I'll look for it again in spring.
RogerF wrote:
   17 Jun 2023
It may be an immigrant to the ACT as many Syrphids are migratory.
RogerF wrote:
   17 Jun 2023
I think it could be added to significant sightings

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Nearby sightings

Page 1 of 4 - image sightings only

Brachymeria sp. (genus) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Mar 2024 by AlisonMilton
Sextius virescens (Acacia horned treehopper) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Mar 2024 by AlisonMilton
Hippodamia variegata (Spotted Amber Ladybird) at Scullin, ACT - 3 Mar 2024 by AlisonMilton
Sastrapada australica (An assassin bug) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Jan 2024 by AlisonMilton
Corcorax melanorhamphos (White-winged Chough) at Higgins, ACT - 24 Jan 2024 by AlisonMilton
Euryopis splendens (Splendid tick spider) at Higgins, ACT - 2 Jan 2024 by AlisonMilton
Crematogaster sp. (genus) (Acrobat ant, Cocktail ant) at Higgins, ACT - 2 Jan 2024 by AlisonMilton
Conoeca guildingi (A case moth) at Scullin, ACT - 2 Jan 2024 by AlisonMilton
Servaea incana (Hoary Servaea) at Scullin, ACT - 2 Jan 2024 by AlisonMilton
Stenocotis depressa (Leafhopper) at Scullin, ACT - 2 Jan 2024 by AlisonMilton
Ledromorpha planirostris (A leafhopper) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Tamopsis sp. (genus) (Two-tailed spider) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Ledromorpha planirostris (A leafhopper) at Higgins, ACT - 4 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Sextius virescens (Acacia horned treehopper) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Servaea incana (Hoary Servaea) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Camponotus aeneopilosus (A Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Crematogaster sp. (genus) (Acrobat ant, Cocktail ant) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Gonipterus scutellatus (Eucalyptus snout beetle, gum tree weevil) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Camponotus consobrinus (Banded sugar ant) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Platystomatidae (family) (Unidentified signal fly) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Camponotus aeneopilosus (A Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Dec 2023 by AlisonMilton
Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle) at Higgins, ACT - 28 Nov 2023 by AlisonMilton
Eurymeloides lineata (Lined gumtree hopper) at Higgins, ACT - 16 Nov 2023 by AlisonMilton
Vanellus miles (Masked Lapwing) at Scullin, ACT - 25 Oct 2023 by AlisonMilton
Torbia viridissima (Gum Leaf Katydid) at Higgins, ACT - 25 Oct 2023 by AlisonMilton
Platycercus eximius (Eastern Rosella) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Aug 2023 by AlisonMilton
Salsa fuliginata (Sooty Orb-weaver) at Scullin, ACT - 20 Aug 2023 by AlisonMilton
Mycetophilidae (family) (A fungus gnat) at Scullin, ACT - 20 Aug 2023 by AlisonMilton
Ditropidus sp. (genus) (Leaf beetle) at Scullin, ACT - 20 Aug 2023 by AlisonMilton
Melangyna viridiceps (Hover fly) at Scullin, ACT - 19 Aug 2023 by AlisonMilton
Pergidae sp. (family) (Unidentified Sawfly) at Higgins, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by AlisonMilton
Sextius virescens (Acacia horned treehopper) at Higgins, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by AlisonMilton
Aporocera (Aporocera) consors (A leaf beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by AlisonMilton
Chauliognathus tricolor (Tricolor soldier beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 23 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Calomela sp. (genus) (Acacia leaf beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Aporocera (Aporocera) consors (A leaf beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Monolepta froggatti (Leaf beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Calomela juncta (Leaf beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Sextius virescens (Acacia horned treehopper) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Badumna sp. (genus) (Lattice-web spider) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Feb 2023 by AlisonMilton
Zosterops lateralis (Silvereye) at Higgins, ACT - 15 Jan 2023 by AlisonMilton
Pergagrapta polita (Sawfly) at Higgins, ACT - 12 Jan 2023 by AlisonMilton
Ledromorpha planirostris (A leafhopper) at Higgins, ACT - 12 Jan 2023 by AlisonMilton
Trachymela sp. (genus) (Brown button beetle) at Scullin, ACT - 12 Jan 2023 by AlisonMilton
Ellipsidion australe (Austral Ellipsidion cockroach) at Scullin, ACT - 12 Jan 2023 by AlisonMilton
Chauliognathus lugubris (Plague Soldier Beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 5 Jan 2023 by AlisonMilton
Christinus marmoratus (Southern Marbled Gecko) at Higgins, ACT - 3 Jan 2023 by AlisonMilton
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Higgins, ACT - 12 Dec 2022 by AlisonMilton
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Eristalinus punctulatus (Golden Native Drone Fly) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Psilota sp. (genus) (Hover fly) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Caedicia simplex (Common Garden Katydid) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Calomela juncta (Leaf beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Lasioglossum (Australictus) peraustrale (Halictid bee) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Cymbacha sp (genus) (A crab spider) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Lasioglossum (Homalictus) ctenander at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Lipotriches (Austronomia) ferricauda (Halictid bee) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Austalis copiosa (Hover fly) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Austalis pulchella (Hover fly) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Philobota philostaura at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Meritastis laganodes (A Tortrix moth) at Higgins, ACT - 29 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Ichneumonoidea (Superfamily) (A species of parasitic wasp) at Higgins, ACT - 28 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Plebs bradleyi (Enamelled spider) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Tortricopsis euryphanella (A concealer moth) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Odontomyia hunteri (Soldier fly) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Austalis pulchella (Hover fly) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Austalis copiosa (Hover fly) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Phyllotocus rufipennis (Nectar scarab) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Eristalinus punctulatus (Golden Native Drone Fly) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Salsa fuliginata (Sooty Orb-weaver) at Higgins, ACT - 27 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Melangyna viridiceps (Hover fly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Ocybadistes walkeri (Green Grass-dart) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Odontomyia sp. (genus) (A soldier fly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Salsa fuliginata (Sooty Orb-weaver) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Aphrophorinae (subfamily) (Unidentified spittlebug) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Calomela juncta (Leaf beetle) at Scullin, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Austalis pulchella (Hover fly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Eristalinus punctulatus (Golden Native Drone Fly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Salsa fuliginata (Sooty Orb-weaver) at Scullin, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Stomorhina discolor (Snout fly) at Scullin, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Glyphipterix chrysoplanetis (A Sedge Moth) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Bibionidae sp. (family) (Bibionid fly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Poecilohetaerus sp. (genus) (Lauxaniid fly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Eristalinus punctulatus (Golden Native Drone Fly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Calomela juncta (Leaf beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Higgins, ACT - 26 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Edusella sp. (genus) (A leaf beetle) at Scullin, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Paropsisterna decolorata (A Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Scullin, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Paropsisterna cloelia (Eucalyptus variegated beetle) at Scullin, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Cicadellidae (family) (Unidentified leafhopper) at Scullin, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Paropsis atomaria (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Scullin, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Lemidia nitens (A clerid beetle) at Higgins, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Salsa fuliginata (Sooty Orb-weaver) at Higgins, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton
Servaea sp. (genus) (Unidentified Servaea jumping spider) at Higgins, ACT - 19 Nov 2022 by AlisonMilton

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 27 Nov 2022 10:05 AM Recorded on
  • AlisonMilton Recorded by

Additional information

  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size
  • Alive / healthy Animal health
  • Feeding on nectar or pollen Insect behaviour on flower
  • True Pollinator Insect on Flower

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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