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.
Platycheirus clypeatus is a species of hoverfly. It is found across the Palearctic and in the Nearctic. The larvae feed on aphids. Adults are usually found on the edges of woodland or scrub, heath or along hedgerows where they visit a wide range of flowers.
Platycheirus scutatus is a very common species of hoverfly. It is a Holarctic species.
Sericomyia militaria, commonly known as the narrow-banded pond fly, is a 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, mostly black with narrow yellow abdominal markings. The larvae of this genus are known as rat tailed maggots for the long posterior breathing tube.
Platycheirus ambiguus is a small widespread species of hoverfly found across the Palearctic from Ireland to Japan. A spring species found in flight in April and May, it visits spring-flowering trees and shrubs; e.g., Prunus spinosa in deciduous woodland and scrub.
Spilomyia citima, the Western Hornet Fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Vockeroth in 1958. 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 known as the short-tailed larvae suited for moist areas such as rot holes of trees.
Sericomyia transversa , the Yellow-spotted Pond Fly , is an uncommon 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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae of this genus are known as rat tailed maggots for the long posterior breathing tube.
Spilomyia crandalli, Crandall's Hornet Fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Curran in 1951. This species is found in western North America near the Pacific coast. 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 known as the short-tailed larvae, suited for moist areas such as rot holes of trees.
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.
Platycheirus inversus, also known as the knobfoot 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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae are aphid predators.
Platycheirus modestus , also known as the yellow sedgesitter, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed throughout Northern North Amnerica. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are usually found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae are aphid predators.
Platycheirus nearcticus, the Nearctic broadhand sedgesitter, is a common species of syrphid fly observed in mainly in northeastern North America but scattered more broadly across the continent. 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 aphid predators.
Platycheirus nodosus, known as the twospear sedgesitter, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in Canada and The 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. Larvae 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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae are aphid predators.
Platycheirus pictipes, the cobalt sedgesitter, is a common species of syrphid fly observed in Western North America and across 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 are aphid predators.
Platycheirus scamboides, the yellowspine 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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae are aphid predators.
Platycheirus thompsoni, or Thompson's sedgesitter, is an uncommon 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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae are aphid predators.
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 energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae when known are plant feeders.
Total of 245 species either found or highly expected to be found in New York.
