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.
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.
Syritta pipiens, sometimes called the thick-legged hoverfly, is one of the most common species in the insect family Syrphidae. This fly originates from Europe and is currently distributed across Eurasia and North America. They are fast and nimble fliers, and their larvae are found in wet, rotting organic matter such as garden compost, manure, and silage. The species is also commonly found in human-created environments such as most farmland, gardens, and urban parks, wherever there are flowers. This species is an important part of its native ecosystem as adult Syritta pipiens flies are critical pollinators for a variety of flowering plants and the species supports parasitism by various parasitic wasp species. Thus, they play an important role in environmental functionality, and can serve as bio-indicators, in which their abundance can reflect the health of the environment. Syritta pipiens looks like many predatory hoverfly species, yet is not predatory.
Charles Howard Curran was a Canadian entomologist who specialised in Diptera. Curran's main taxonomic interests were in brachyceran flies, particularly the flower flies Syrphidae, in which he described 723 species.
Toxomerus geminatus (Say,1823) the Eastern Calligrapher, is a common species of syrphid fly observed in the eastern and central United States and Canada. 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 6.1–7.6 mm (0.24–0.30 in) long. The larvae are predators of a variety of aphids and mites.
Liparis liliifolia, known as the brown widelip orchid, lily-leaved twayblade, large twayblade, and mauve sleekwort, is a species of orchid native to eastern Canada and the eastern United States. It can be found in a variety of habitats, such as forests, shrublands, thickets, woodlands, and mountains. The orchid is considered globally secure, but it is considered rare or endangered in many northeastern states.
Somula decora , the Spotted Wood Fly , is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in central to eastern 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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae live in decaying wood. .
Chalcosyrphus (Xylotomima) inarmatus the Yellow-haired Leafwalker, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly found across Northern North America. Hoverflies are able to remain nearly motionless in flight The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen.
' Paragus angustifrons , the Narrow-faced Grass Skimmer , is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed throughout 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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae have been reared from Aphis spiraecola and Aphis spiraephila . .
Spilomyia foxleei is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae.
Chalcosyrphus (Xylotomima) sacawajeae , the Hairy-winged Leafwalker , is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in the Northern United States and Western Canada. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also know as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen.
Lejota cyanea , the Cobalt Trunksitter , is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in the northeast and west coast 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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae of this genus are found in decaying tree roots.
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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae when known are aphid predators .
Platycheirus normae, the paddlearm sedgesitter, is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in Northeastern 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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae are aphid predators.
Platycheirus varipes is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in Northern Europe: Norway, Sweden, Finland; Greenland; central Asiatic Russia; and in North America from Alaska and Canada south to Colorado, via mountain chains.
Cheilosia prima, the swarthy blacklet, is a common species of syrphid fly observed in the eastern half 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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae when known are plant feeders.
Microdon ruficrus, the spiny-shield ant fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in the eastern 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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae have been found from the nests of Lasius alienus.
Paragus angustistylus, the thin-spined grass skimmer, is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in the Great Lakes Region.. 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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen..
Sphaerophoria asymmetrica , the asymmetric globetail , is a common species of syrphid fly observed 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. The larvae feed on aphids. .
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 enegy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae are predators of Eriosoma lanigerum .
