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.
Sphegina is a genus of small, slender hoverflies. They are widespread throughout Eurasia and North America. In flight they seem to have long hind legs which they often carry hanging down, making them resemble sphecid or ichneumonid wasps. Adult Sphegina are usually found in damp and shady habitats close to water in forested areas, and several species can often be found together. They often feed on white and yellow flowers of Apiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Asteraceae, and Rosaceae like Crataegus, Sorbus, and Sorbaria. Larvae nest in the sap of living and dead trees or in decaying cambium under tree bark lying in water or other damp conditions. The larvae of some species have been discovered in the tunnels of other xylophagous insects.
Sphegina campanulata (Robertson, 1901), the Orange-horned Pufftail, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly observed in the northeastern 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 are found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae of this genus are found in decaying tree roots.
Sphegina brachygaster , the Thick-waisted Pufftail , is a fairly 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 found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
Sphegina armatipes is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina biannulata is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina californica is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina flavimana, the Tuberculate Pufftail, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly observed in the northeastern 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. Larvae are found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
Sphegina lobulifera , the Black-lobed Pufftail , is an rare species of syrphid fly observed in eastern North America.. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies since they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Larvae are found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
Sphegina occidentalis is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina rufa is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina bridwelli is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina lobata , the Yellow-lobed Pufftail, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in notheastern 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 found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
Sphegina rufiventris, the Black-horned Pufftail, is a common species of syrphid fly observed in the northestern 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 are found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
Sphegina (Sphegina) keeniana, the Peg-legged Pufftail, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly observed in 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 energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
Sphegina nigrimanus is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.
Sphegina petiolata , the Long-spined Pufftail, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in eastern to central 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 found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.
Total of 245 species either found or highly expected to be found in New York.
