Hoverfly
Syrphidea Fly genus Palpada
27.3364, -82.5307
Field Notes
Description:
Hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies or syrphid flies, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae (maggots) eat a wide range of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprotrophs, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores and prey on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects.
As members of Diptera, all hoverflies have a single functional pair of wings (the hindwings are reduced to balancing organs). Hoverflies are harmless.
Habitat:
Larvae of hoverflies are often found in stagnant water. Adults are often found near plants, their principal food source being nectar and pollen
Comments (2)