About Melangyna novaezelandiae (Macquart, 1855)
Melangyna novaezelandiae is a species of fly with adults measuring 9–12 millimetres in total length. The top of its head bears two large compound eyes plus three ocelli, which are simple, light-detecting organs. Males and females of the species are mostly identical in appearance, with one key difference: the upper surfaces of the eyes touch in males, but do not touch in females. The legs are slender and covered in black hairs. The oval-shaped thorax is black in colour and covered in fine hairs. The upper surface of the male abdomen is black and marked with three pairs of creamy yellow bands, while the upper surface of the female abdomen is black and marked with four pairs of creamy yellow bands, where the last pair is very reduced in size. The underside of the abdomen is reddish brown for both sexes. The abdomen is covered in small fine hairs, though these hairs are not easily visible. As individual flies age, their wings become progressively more worn from flight and foraging activity. This species is widespread across all of New Zealand, and also occurs on a number of offshore and outlying islands including the Chatham Islands, the subantarctic Auckland Islands, the Snares Islands, and Campbell Islands. It can be found in a broad variety of habitats, including subalpine zones, tussock areas, and agricultural habitats. In agricultural habitats, it is one of the two most common hoverfly species present; the other common species is Melanostoma fasciatum.
