What is this insect? (forum)

Kathy starts with ...
I have just discovered what a magnificent home for all sorts of insects is Queen Anne's lace. I have never seen so many - so happy - and so many different kinds.
I was really intrigued by this one - about 1 cm in length; orange wings - and lovely long fury (?) antennas - because it is the same one (I think) that I saw hovering like a fairy (body vertical and a bit curled; orange wings spinning madly - opened above and at an angle to the body. Sorry the image is out of focus.
Thanks
kathy
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Time: 30th October 2011 10:09am

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About the Author kathyturner
Malecy, Qld
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Phil@Tyalgum says...
It looks like one of the Soldier beetles (Cantharidae) - related to fireflies but unable to produce any light of its own. They are great to have in the garden, the larvae eat a lot of caterpillars, young grasshoppers and other soft-bodied pests and the adults are voracious predators of aphids. Some seasons you will get clouds of them forming around certain flowering plants. There is a lovely racing-car green and orange one to look out for too.
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Time: 30th October 2011 10:26am

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About the Author TyalgumPhil
Murwillumbah
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Kathy says...
Phil - that looks exactly like it. Thank you so much for such a quick answer.

Once I knew what it was I looked for some images of it in flight - because it is so like a tiny fairy.
Here are some.
Kathy
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Picture: 2
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Time: 30th October 2011 11:16am

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About the Author kathyturner
Malecy, Qld
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Francisco says...
This insect showed up in my kitchen, I wonder if it is good or bad" I have never seen one like that before.
Thanks for your help
Francisco Bocaranda, California


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Time: 26th January 2015 7:07am

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About the Author Francisco
Arroyo grande
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MIke T1 says...
Francisco it looks like an assassin bug.They are carnivorous and eat other insects including caterpillars.

Time: 26th January 2015 8:24am

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About the Author MIke T1
cairns
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