Appearance
They are large, black and somewhat glabrate flies that measure some 25 to 30 mm in length, with a wingspan that may exceed 50 mm. A prominent orange to red mark is evident on the ventral side of the second abdominal segment. Their visual mimicry is apparently complemented by curling and jabbing of the abdomen in a mock stinging routine.Behavior
The eggs are deposited singly in soil or rotting wood. The larvae, as with ''M. brunneus'' and ''M. tibialis'', are predatory on the larvae of deadwood-feeding scarab beetles and can be found in standing and downed trees with extensive heart rot. The adults seem to be pollen and nectar feeders only, and have been observed at ''Asclepias'', ''Saponana'', ''Spiraea'', ''Monarda'', ''Pycnanthemum'', ''Teucrium'' and ''Verbena'' flowers. When not nectaring, adults may be seen resting on plants or actively running around on the ground. Though the mating behaviour is unknown, it is suspected that males may defend the vicinity of larval food sources.Habitat
They are present in various habitats, including deciduous woodlands, fields, meadows, gardens, and other.References:
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