(Pictures) Learn more about the stiletto fly in this week’s nature’s calling column

“LAST week I spoke about the stiletto snake, this week I will tell you a bit about the stiletto fly.

“Not all flies are filthy disease spreading pests and not all flies deserve to be squashed. They were all created to play a vital role in the food chain, whether it be to help decompose rotting material or as a carnivore of other insects. The stiletto fly is another example of a fly that deserves to be preserved, especially if you are a gardener,” said Warren Dick.

According to him, there are some 1 600 different species of stiletto fly, Therevidae, found worldwide. They are most common and diverse in arid and semi-arid areas, favouring sandy soil. The young stiletto fly larvae live in sandy soil where they prey on other insect larvae.

The adult stiletto fly also feeds on other small insects. These flies are similar in behavior to the robber fly family, which are also a carnivorous fly species.

“I often find the stiletto fly in my garden on the Bluff, but seldom see robber flies. The robber fly seems to favour more natural areas such as the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve. There are many different species of stiletto fly found in the Durban South area, varying quite a bit in shape, size and colour.”

Contact Warren to have some of your interesting insects, snakes or spiders identified. Call or WhatsApp him on 072 211 0353.

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