Order Diptera
Flies & Mosquitoes
InsectBest Season: Jun–Oct
Best locations
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Expert creators
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Field Reports (12 months)
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(c) Misti, all rights reserved, uploaded by Misti
About this species
Often overlooked or actively swatted away, India's flies and mosquitoes (order Diptera) include some of the most important pollinators and most visually striking macro subjects in the insect world — from iridescent long-legged flies to bee-mimicking hoverflies. Guide to India's flies (Diptera): hoverflies, robber flies and long-legged flies — habitat, behaviour, best season and macro photography tips.
Behavior
Many hoverflies are Batesian mimics of bees and wasps, gaining protection from predators without the sting; robber flies are ambush predators that launch from a fixed perch to snatch prey mid-air, often returning to the same twig repeatedly, which makes them surprisingly easy to photograph.
Diet
Highly varied — hoverfly adults feed on nectar and pollen (making them important pollinators) while their larvae are voracious aphid predators; robber flies are exclusively predatory on other insects; mosquito larvae filter-feed on organic matter in water.
Field Reports
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Best locations for Flies & Mosquitoes
Reserves and landscapes where our photographers reliably encounter this species, with links to place-specific guides.
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When and Where to Photograph Flies & Mosquitoes
Find a robber fly's favourite perch and simply wait — they tend to return to it after every hunting sortie, giving repeated chances at the same shot. Flowering shrubs in full sun are the most reliable spot for hoverfly diversity.
Plan field days around Jun–Oct: light is often strongest at dawn and dusk, when many mammals and birds are most active. Work with a naturalist who knows local movement patterns — they will position you ethically while improving your odds of a encounter in key reserves across India.