Lateral view

Australian distribution

Taxonomy

Family: Muscidae

Subfamily: Muscinae

Genus: Hydrotaea Robineau-Desvoidy 1830

Species: australis Malloch 1923

 

The immature stages are unknown.

Biology

This species has largely been observed to breed in fresh cow dung (see Pont, 1973), however, Fuller (1934) has noted it to be associated with carrion in Canberra.

Distribution

Hydrotaea australis is a warm-climate species, and is widely distributed in the tropical regions of Australia. It has been recorded throughout the north and north-east of Australia, including the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.

Relevant Literature

Fuller, M.E. (1934) The insect inhabitants of carrion: a study in animal ecology. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Australia, Bulletin 82, 1-63.

Pont, A.C. (1973) Studies on Australian Muscidae (Diptera): IV. A revision of the subfamilies Muscinae and Stomoxyinae. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 21, 129-296.