Hover flies, also 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.
Episyrphus balteatus, sometimes called the marmalade hoverfly, is a relatively small hoverfly (9–12 mm) of the Syrphidae family, widespread throughout the Palaearctic region, which covers Europe, North Asia, and North Africa. The upper side of the abdomen is patterned with orange and black bands. Two further identification characters are the presence of secondary black bands on the third and fourth dorsal plates and faint greyish longitudinal stripes on the thorax. Its color patterns may appear wasp-like to other animals, such as birds, protecting it from predation.
Eristalinae are one of the four subfamilies of the fly family Syrphidae, or hoverflies. A well-known species included in this subfamily is the dronefly, Eristalis tenax.
Didea is a genus of hoverflies. Flight periods tend to be late in the year, and their larvae feed on aphids.
Melanostoma scalare, the chequered hoverfly, is a very common species of hoverfly.
Baccha elongata is a species of hoverfly in the genus Baccha.
Meligramma is a genus of hoverflies in the subfamily Syrphinae.
Platycheirus tarsalis is a species of hoverfly. It is found in many parts of Britain and Europe.
Hammerschmidtia is a Holarctic genus of hoverflies whose larvae live in sap under the bark of freshly fallen trees.
Parhelophilus is a genus of hoverflies. They are slightly smaller than flies of the genus Helophilus, and have a Holarctic distribution.
Chamaesyrphus is a genus hoverflies, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. Small yellow and black flies. Antennae with segment 3 large and almost evenly rounded, the arista only slightly thickened towards base and inserted before the actual anterior dorsal tip of the segment. In contrast to Pelecocera.
Triglyphus is a genus of hoverflies from the family Syrphidae in the order Diptera.
Brachypalpoides is a genus of hoverflies, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Arctophila is a subgenus of hoverflies, in the genus Sericomyia from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera, comprising several hairy, bee-mimicking species.
Eumerus ornatus is a species of hoverfly, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Pipizini is a tribe of small to medium-sized generally black hoverflies, although some species also have orange spots on their abdomen. This nondescript colouring can lead to some species being confused with other dark hoverflies from other tribes. The lack of a facial knob is a good defining feature which separates them from most of these other hoverflies. As with other species in the subfamily Syrphinae the larvae feed on aphids though there seems to be a preference for wax-secreting aphids e.g. Pemphigidae.
Anasimyia interpuncta is a European species of hoverfly.
Platycheirus aurolateralis is a species of hoverfly. Only described in 2002, it has so far only been recorded in southern Britain.
Paragus tibialis, is a species of hoverfly found in many parts of Europe and North Africa. It has a preference for drier areas and its larvae feed on root aphids.
Epistrophe melanostoma is a European species of hoverfly.
