Melanostoma mellinum

Melanostoma mellinum is a common flower fly species. They have an adult wingspan between 4.7 and 7 mm. Their preferred habitat is grasslands within mountainous regions. The adult feeds on pollen of wind pollinating plant species and the larva is a predator of small insects. 

Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Species: Melanostoma mellinum

Photograph: © 2016 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 24 June 2016
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45^o35'25"N 111^o03'46"W)