Blera is primarily a North American genus, though there are 3 species from Europe. The genus is characterized by the following characters:
'Brachyopa notata , the Black-banded Sapeater , is a rare species of syrphid fly. It has been observed in Northeastern North America. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae for this genus are of the rat-tailed type. B.notata larvae have not been described.
Callicera erratica , the Golden Pine Fly , is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in the Northeastern United States and Canada. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae live in water filled ratholes and cavities of old living conifers.
Blera nigra , the Golden Haired Wood Fly, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Williston in 1887 Hoverflies get their name from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.
Blera badia, the Common Wood Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Walker in 1849. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies, for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.
Teuchocnemis bacuntius ,, the Orange Spur Fly , is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in eastern half of the United States. Syrphid flies are also known as Hover Flies or Flower Flies because the adults are frequently found hovering around flowers from which they feed on nectar and pollen. Adults are 13.5–18.1 mm (0.53–0.71 in) long, orange with a swolen hind femur and the hind tibia of the male with a ventral spur. The larvae are unknown.
Blera armillata, the orange-faced wood fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Osten Sacken in 1875. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.
Brachyopa cinereovittata, the Grey-striped Sapeater, is a rare species of syrphid fly. It has been observed in northwestern North America. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae for this genus are of the rat-tailed type. B.cinereovittata larvae have not been described.
Orthonevra nigrovittata (Loew, 1876), the black-lined mucksucker, is a rare species of syrphid fly. It has been observed in California. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae for this genus are of the rat-tailed type. O. nigrovittata larvae have not been described.
Anasimyia distincta, the short-spurred swamp fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in The Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae of this genus are of the rat-tailed type living in aquatic environments.
Heringia canadensis , the Canadian smoothleg, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly observed in many parts of North America. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae when known are aphid predators.
Pipiza nigripilosa, the pale-haired pithead, is a common species of syrphid fly observed in the eastern United States. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae when known are aphid predators.
Pipiza puella, the sumac gall pithead, is a species of syrphid fly observed in eastern and Central United States, Canada and Norway. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae when known are aphid predators.
Pipiza macrofemoralis, the large-legged pithead, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly observed in many locations across Northern North America.. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae, when known, are aphid predators.
Microdon cothurnatus , the orange-legged ant fly, is a species of syrphid fly observed across the Northern United States and Canada. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers except Microdon species are seldom observed around flowers. Larvae have been found in several species of ant.
Hammerschmidtia rufa, the black-bristled logsitter, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed across North America. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae have been found under bark of aspen, elm, walnut, and willow. Described as Hammerschmidtia ferruginea by Curran.
Hiatomyia cyanescens, the cobalt deltawing, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in the northeastern United States. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are unknown.
Heringia elongata, the elongate spikeleg, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in mainly eastern North America but scattered across the US Canadian border to the Pacific Coast. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae are predators of Eriosoma lanigerum.
Trichopsomyia banksi ,the white-faced psyllid killer, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed across North America. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae are unknown but other members of this genus are psyllid, aphid and Phylloxera predators.
