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hoverfly Heineken Hoverflies

Identify It >   Flies Section >   Hoverflies Section >   Heineken Hoverflies >

Scientific name:  Rhingia campestris

Size:  Up to 11mm

Distribution:  Found throughout the UK

Months seen:  March to November

Habitat:  Meadows, parks, gardens, farms and woodland

Food:  Nectar.  The larvae feed on dung

Special features:  The Heineken hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) has a dark orange coloured abdomen with a black central stripe.  The black coloured thorax has lighter coloured metallic stripes running through it from front to back.

The most distinguishing feature of the Heineken hoverfly is the long snout.  Heineken used to advertise their beer by saying it could reach the parts other beers couldn't reach.  With it's long snout the Heineken hoverfly can reach the nectar which other hoverflies can't reach - hence the name.

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