Hover flies of the genus Microdon are unusual among the Diptera. Like other members of the subfamily, they are myrmecophiles, meaning they inhabit the nests of ants.
Xylota is a Holarctic genus of hoverflies similar in structure to the related genera Chalcosyrphus and Brachypalpoides. As the larvae are saprophytic they're usually found in rotting wood. The adult flies are generally associated with woodland and woodland edges and can often be seen running over the upper sides of leaves. Unlike other syrphids the adults of many species rarely visit flowers preferring instead to gather pollen from leaf surfaces. There are over 100 described species of which 12 can be found in Europe. Seven species have been recorded in Britain. Identification of species has been difficult and identifiction by photographs is risky.
Eupeodes corollae is a very common European species of hoverfly. Adults are 6–11 millimetres (0.24–0.43 in) in body length. Males and females have different marking on the abdomen; males have square commas on tergites 3 and 4, whereas females have narrow commas. Larvae feed on aphids. This species has been used experimentally in glasshouses as a method of aphid control, and to control scale insects and aphids in fruit plantations. They were found to be partial to the fruit, eating more fruit than aphids.
Eupeodes luniger is a common species of hoverfly.
Eupeodes latifasciatus is a species of hoverfly. Adults feed on nectar; larvae feed on aphids and scale insects.
Eumerus is a genus of hoverflies, within the tribe Eumerini.
Dasysyrphus is a genus of hover flies with 50 identified species distributed worldwide. While the genus is relatively easy to identify, genera key the differences between species have a more narrow range of variations. Therefore, identification of species by images of specimens alone should be made with care.
Platycheirus is a large genus of hoverflies. They are also called sedgesitters.
Parasyrphus is a genus of hover fly found in the holarctic area of the world including species like Parasyrphus tarsatus located in some very northern areas. Very few of the 31 identified species have known larvae. Of the known larvae most are predators of tree aphids with one, Parasyrphus nigritarsis, that feed on beetle eggs and larvae.
Trichopsomyia is a genus of Hoverflies, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Fagisyrphus cinctus is a European species of hoverfly. This species has a muddled taxonomic history. Older authors treated it as a member of the genus Melangyna, and later sources in Meligramma, but the most recent sources recognize it as the sole species in its own monotypic genus, Fagisyrphus.
The Syrphini are a tribe of hoverflies.
Syrphus torvus, the Hairy-eyed Flower Fly, is a common species of hoverfly found in the Holarctic. The adults feed on pollen and nectar, but the larvae feed on aphids.
Syrphus vitripennis is a very common European and North American species of hoverfly. Its larvae feed on aphids
Betasyrphus is a genus of hoverfly.
Didea alneti is a Holarctic species of hoverfly.
Epistrophe nitidicollis is a European and North American species of hoverfly.
Total of 245 species either found or highly expected to be found in New York.
Eupeodes perplexus, the bare-winged aphideater, is a species of hoverfly native to North America. Adults feed on nectar; larvae feed on aphids and scale insects.
E. fumipennis female hovering
E. volucris female hovering
