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.
Eristalis is a large genus of hoverflies, family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. Several species are known as drone flies because they bear a resemblance to honeybee drones.
Helophilus are a diverse genus of moderate to large hoverflies, that appear somewhat bee-like. Larvae filter-feed in organic rich water. All Helophilus adults have a distinctive lengthwise striped thorax and a transverse striped abdomen.
Helophilus groenlandicus, the Black-margined Marsh Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly. 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. Though common the larvae of this species like many other Helophilus are not known but the larvae of other species in this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and are a so called rat-tailed type.
Lejops is a genus of hoverflies, closely related to the genera Helophilus, Quichuana and Mallota.
Eristalini is a tribe of hoverflies. Several species are well-known honeybee mimics, such as the drone fly Eristalis tenax, while other genera such as Helophilus and Parhelophilus exhibit wasp-like patterns of yellow and black stripes, both strategies to avoid predation by visual predators such as birds.
Helophilus intentus is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae.
Helophilus fasciatus, the narrow-headed marsh fly, is an abundant species of syrphid fly observed throughout the 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. The larvae of this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and farmyard manure or silage. The adults of this species lays eggs on vegetation overhanging the water. The larvae hatch and drop into the water.
Xylota quadrimaculata ,, the Four-spotted Leafwalker , is a common species of syrphid fly observed in central and eastern North America. 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 8.2–11.3 mm (0.32–0.44 in) long, black with yellow-orange spots on the abdomen. The larvae of this genus live under bark in sap runs.
' 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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae have been reared from Aphis spiraecola and Aphis spiraephila.
Helophilus lapponicus, the Yellow-margined Marsh Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly observed across northern North America, northern Europe, Greenland and Siberia. 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. Though common the larvae of this species are not known but the larvae of other species in this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and are a so called rat-tailed type.
'Eristalis saxorum, the Blue-polished Drone Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly found along the Eastern United States. 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 aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed type. The larvae of this species have not been identified. Little is known about this uncommon species which flies from mid-March to late October.
Helophilus obscurus , the Obscure Marsh Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly observed throughout Canada and the northern United States and Rocky Mountains. 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 of this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and farmyard manure or silage the larvae of this species are not known.
Eristalis obscura, the dusky drone fly, is a common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Loew in 1866. This species is widespread in the northern part of North America and Europe east to Siberia. 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 aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed type.
Eristalis hirta, the black-footed drone fly, is a common Western North American species of syrphid fly, first officially described by Loew in 1866. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies as they are commonly found on and around flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed type.
Parhelophilus laetus , the Common Bog Fly , is a common species of syrphid fly observed across norther 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 are unknown.
Helophilina is a subtribe of rat-tail maggot flies in the family Syrphidae. There are about 19 genera and more than 180 described species in Helophilina.
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.
Eurimyia stipata, the long-nosed swamp fly, is a very common species of syrphid fly observed across northern North America. 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 11.7–17.1 mm (0.46–0.67 in) long with a striped scutum and sawtooth yellow abdominal spots. Larvae of this genus are aquatic.
