Signal fly (genus Rivellia)

Signal fly (genus Rivellia) 2016

CRANNEY, Kate

Registration number

1908707

Artist/maker

CRANNEY, Kate

Title

Signal fly (genus Rivellia)

Production date

2016

Medium

ink and watercolour on paper

Dimensions (H x W x D)

29.7 x 42 cm (paper size)

Credit line

City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection
© Kate Cranney (www.katecranney.com)

Keywords

Kate Cranney, fly, The Little Things That Run the City, 2016, drawing

Summary

This drawing depicts an adult signal fly with patterned wings and a metallic body. Signal flies are part of a large group of insects called Diptera. There are at least 7,000 fly species in Australia. Diptera means ‘two wings’ as flies have only two wings. Flies decompose waste material and help control insect pests, they also play an important role in pollinating plants – just like bees! The illustration was drawn by Kate Cranney for the City of Melbourne's publication 'The Little Things that Run the City'. The book explores the diversity of insects we have within our city’s boundaries and examines what we can do to help them survive and thrive.