About Helophilus antipodus Schiner, 1868
Description: The front tibia is yellow, with a black ring at its tip. The hind femora are entirely black. Wing veins are black and slightly infuscate. Compared to Helophilus montanus, the lateral ocelli of Helophilus antipodus are closer to the eyes than they are to each other; the oral margin is not strongly extended, and H. antipodus are larger, more robust flies. They are similar in appearance to the New Zealand three-lined hoverfly, Helophilus seelandicus.
Distribution: Helophilus antipodus is found across most of New Zealand, including many subantarctic islands: the Auckland Islands and Campbell Islands. On the New Zealand mainland, this fly acts as a pollinator for the endemic orchid Dendrobium cunninghamii.
