Story: Insects – overview

New Zealand batfly

New Zealand batflies (Mystacinobia zelandica) are wingless flies that live in close association with the endemic short-tailed bat. This video clip shows a female fly depositing her eggs close to a newborn bat. When the eggs hatch, the batfly larvae attach themselves to the baby bat’s skin.

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How to cite this page:

George Gibbs, 'Insects – overview - Unique species', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/10044/new-zealand-batfly (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by George Gibbs, published 24 Sep 2007