Villa modesta

Villa modesta can be found in June to September in coastal dune areas throughout mainland Europe, in Britain and to the north in Norway.

[3][4][5] Villa modesta is a fairly large fly, the body length is 10–14 mm.

The male does not have bands but has tufts of hair at the end of the abdomen and at the base of the wings.

The females may be found hovering near a dark hole in the sand shooting eggs.

Every now and then the females are rubbing the abdomen in the sand in a small circular movement.

Villa modesta shooting an egg into a hole
Villa modesta female filling the sand chamber
Villa modesta courtship. Female is present in the lower right.