Mottled Thistle Fly

Xyphosia miliaria

Description

Over all length 5 - 8mm. An orange-brown species with stiff bristles on its thorax. The eyes are reddish, shading to bright green and the wings have an orange cast and are marked with black.

Habitat

Meadows with thistles, hedgerows and woodland edge. The larvae feed in the flower-heads of thistles.

Status and distribution

Fairly common and distributed evenly throughout Britain. Regularly seen at the reserve.

Best time to see

May to September.

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - male - August 24th 2012

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - male - June 23rd 2017

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - male - August 29th 2021

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - female - August 9th 2020

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - female - August 9th 2020

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - female - August 9th 2020

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - female - August 9th 2020

  • Mottled Thistle Fly - Xyphosia miliaria - female - August 9th 2020