A to Z of Pests

Sandy Fly (Stiletto Fly)

Spiriverpa lunulata

Appearance

• Adult — 10–11mm. The body has a pale grey colour, eyes are bronze–brown, and legs are dark reddish–brown.

Lifecycle

• Adults are seen from April to September.
• The larvae can take up to two years to develop and live in loose sand.
• In the pupal stage the larvae curls into a circle or “u” shape lasting one or two weeks.

Habits

• Adults live on sandy riverbanks with an open habitat free of shading trees.
• The larvae of stiletto flies are active soil predators.