Helophilus seelandicus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Genus: Helophilus
Species:
H. seelandicus
Binomial name
Helophilus seelandicus
(Gmelin, 1790)
Synonyms
  • Musca seelandica Gemlin, 1790

Helophilus seelandicus, commonly known as the three-lined hoverfly, is a hoverfly endemic to New Zealand. The common name corresponds to the three black lines behind the insect's head.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1790 and named Musca seelandica.[1] The taxonomy of this species was most recently discussed by F. Christian Thompson in 2008.[2]

Description

The adult fly is approximately 15 mm in length.[3]

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand.[4][2]

Life cycle

H. seelandicus maggots live in water with decaying vegetation, animals or dung.[5]

Interaction with humans

Despite being native to New Zealand, this species is commonly reported to the Ministry of Primary Industries Pest and Disease Hotline.[6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Helophilus seelandicus.
Wikispecies has information related to Helophilus seelandicus.
  1. ^ Linné, Carl von; Gmelin, Johann Friedrich (1788–93). Caroli a Linné. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae : secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Vol. 1 (Ed. 13., aucta, reformata. Cura Jo. Frid. Gmelin. ed.). Lipsiae: Lipsiae, impensis Georg. Emanuel. Beer. p. 2870.
  2. ^ a b F. CHRISTIAN THOMPSON (29 February 2008). "A conspectus of New Zealand flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) with the description of a new genus and species". Zootaxa. 1716 (1): 1. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.1716.1.1. ISSN 1175-5334. Wikidata Q97484288.
  3. ^ "Three-lined hoverfly". www.landcareresearch.co.nz. 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Helophilus seelandicus (Gmelin, 1790) - Biota of NZ". biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  5. ^ Crowe, Andrew (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Penguin Books. p. 63. ISBN 0141006366.
  6. ^ Doddala, Prasad; Haw, James; France, Santha; Anderson, Diane; Marinov, Milen; Flynn, Alan (2018-07-30). "What's buzzing? A snapshot analysis of pest notifications". New Zealand Plant Protection. 71: 351. doi:10.30843/nzpp.2018.71.203. ISSN 1179-352X. S2CID 59348884.

External links

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