Spilomyia longicornis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Diptera |
Family: | Syrphidae |
Subfamily: | Eristalinae |
Tribe: | Milesiini |
Subtribe: | Milesiina |
Genus: | Spilomyia |
Species: | S. longicornis |
Binomial name | |
Spilomyia longicornis | |
Synonyms | |
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Spilomyia longicornis is a species of syrphid fly, also known as a flower fly or hoverfly, in the family Syrphidae. Although the appearance of S. longicornis is remarkably similar to a vespid wasp, it is a fly and cannot sting. [2] It occurs in North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. [3]
S. longicornis is typically 11–15 millimeters long. [4] S. longicornis has a black body with yellow markings and stripes on its abdomen. [5] Its wings are mostly clear with a dark tinge, and the anterior portion of the wings are typically darker brown in colour. [5] The back four legs are yellowish in colour, and the front two legs are yellow at the base and black at the ends. [5] They tend to rest on their back four legs and move their front two legs above their head, making them appear like antennae on the Hymenoptera species that they mimic. [5]
This Eastern Hornet Fly [6] Spilomyia longicornis Loew, 1872 was found in Oxford, Geogia, on October 8, 2022, flying around some short shrubbery.
S. longicornis flies are part of the Syrphidae family, which is of the order Diptera. The hoverfly family is one of the most diverse in the Diptera order. [7] There are at least 200 genera and 5000 species included in this family. [7]
S. longicornis is widespread in eastern North America. [3] These flies can be found near and around flowers that produce pollen and nectar, which they feed on. [8] Also, rotting trees are an important environmental component of their habitat. [9] S. longicornis larvae are typically found in rot holes, or rotting cavities found in live trees, and develop there. [10] Almost all types of trees can develop rot holes, but they are more common for certain types of trees than others. [10] The rot holes provide a food source and protection for the larvae. [10] Thus, these damp environments are ideal for larval development. [10] Adult S. longicornis flies are most often found hovering over flowers that produce large amounts of pollen and nectar, the adults' food source. [8]
S. longicornis larvae are found in rot holes in rotting trees., [10] while adults spend the majority of their time around flowers to get pollen and nectar for food and for mating. [8] Females need pollen for reproductive development. [8]
Only adult S. longicornis flies eat the pollen and nectar from flowers. [8] Pollen has a high content of nitrogenous nutrients. Because of this, females are able to use the nutrients from pollen to develop their reproductive tissues. [8] These nutrients, which are not consumed by S. longicornis flies until adulthood, are important for vitellogenesis, also known as yolk deposition. [8] They also consume nectar from flowers and use that energy for their hovering behavior. [8]
S. longicornis males have been directly observed mate-seeking near flowers. [9]
Most Syrphidae flies mimic Hymenoptera species. [11] S. longicornis mimics vespid species including introduced species such as Vespula vulgaris . [2] S. longicornis flies mimic vespid wasps in three main ways: physically, behaviorally, and auditorily. Just like vespid wasps, the anterior portion of the wings of S. longicornis flies are a darker brown color than the rest of the wing. [5] Their abdomen is yellow with black stripes, and the thorax and head are similarly colored. Behaviorally, S. longicornis flies mimic the way common wasps move their antennae. By resting on their back four legs and placing and moving their two front black legs above their head, they more closely resemble wasps. [12] When threatened, S. longicornis bend their abdomen in a similar fashion to wasps who are stinging a predator. They may also move their abdomen up and down when they are on a flower, which is a mimic of wasp abdomen expansion. Finally, it has been documented that S. longicornis flies, when threatened, produce a different buzzing sound than normal. [13] While wasps do not necessarily produce a different sound upon attack, the sound S. longicornis makes when threatened seems to be of a frequency similar to some hymenopteran species. [13] This strategy may have evolved because the visual and behavioral mimicry may not always work. [13]
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.
The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids of other insects.
Eristalis tenax, the common drone fly, is a common, migratory, cosmopolitan species of hover fly. It is the most widely distributed syrphid species in the world, and is known from all regions except the Antarctic. It has been introduced into North America and is widely established. It can be found in gardens and fields in Europe and Australia. It has also been found in the Himalayas.
Spilomyia is a genus of hoverflies. Many species in the genus show Batesian mimicry of wasp models, including black and yellow patterns and modified antenna shape.
Spilomyia sayi, the Four-lined Hornet Fly, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly. This species is found from western Canada to northeastern North America. 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. It is a wasp mimic.
Trichopsomyia is a genus of Hoverflies, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Cerioidini is a widespread tribe of around 222 species of hoverfly. Cerioidini are mistaken for wasps for which they are effective mimic. Cerioidini have antennae with a terminal style and have somewhat elongate and basally constricted abdomens, only slightly in Ceriana, but pronounced in most Sphiximorpha; and Polybiomyia, and extremely in Monoceromyia. Larvae live mostly within tree sap associated with tree wounds or putrefying pockets of water in tree cavities.
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.
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.
'Spilomyia fusca , the Bald-faced Hornet Fly, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Loew, 1864 This species is found in North Eastern America. 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 larva taylored for moist areas such as rot holes of trees.
Temnostoma venustum , the Black-banded Falsehorn , is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in the northeastern 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 energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. Temnostoma adults are strong wasp mimics The larvae burrow in moist decayed wood.
'Spilomyia intertupta , the Interrupted Hornet Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Williston, 1882. This species is found in Western North America, along the California 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 larva, suited for moist areas such as rot holes of trees.
Blera armillata, the orange-faced wood fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Osten Sacken in 1875. 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 of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.
Hadromyia aepalius, the Sterling Quicksilver, is a rare species of syrphid fly found in eastern North America. 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.
Temnostoma alternans , the Wasp-like falsehorn, is a common species of syrphid fly observed throughout the northern and central United States and widespread in 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 burrow in moist decayed wood.
Spilomyia alcimus, the Broad-banded Hornet Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Walker in 1849. 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.
Spilomyia liturata, the Rocky Mountain Hornet Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly. This species is found in western North America along the Rocky Mountains. 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 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.
Callicera spinolae, also known as the ivy hoverfly or golden hoverfly, is a species of syrphid fly within the genus Callicera and family Syrphidae. It was first described by Italian entomologist Camillo Rondani in 1844.
Total of 245 species either found or highly expected to be found in New York.