Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana)



Although this fly is categorised along with house flies Mesembrina meridiana is unlikely to be found in houses. Instead, it prefers sunbathing whilst tucking in to a meal of nectar from umbellifer flowers (Hogweed, Cow Parsley, Wild Angelica, etc) or, later in the year when these are mostly over, Ivy.

This is a large fly which is quite distinctive because of the brown colouring at the top of the wings, It is pretty well black all over otherwise.

Like most flies their life cycle is pretty unpleasant when viewed through human eyes. It lays its eggs in dung and the larvae then participate in the ongoing recycling of material turning cow and horse dung back in to soil. That may make Mesembrina meridiana a bit of a dirty character but it does a vital job in the cycle of life so spare some time to take a look at it. I think it strangely attractive!

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