Hoverfly

Syrphidae
Melangyna viridiceps (above) other images of Syrphidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Diptera Superfamily: Syrphoidea Family: Syrphidae
Subfamilies
Eristalinae Microdontinae Syrphinae 200 genera about 6,000 species

• For the helicopter see: Sikorsky R-4

Flies in the Diptera family Syrphidae are commonly known as hoverflies, flower flies, or Syrphid flies.

As their common names suggest, 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. Aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year, and so aphid-feeding hover-flies are being recognized as important natural enemies of pests, and potential agents for use in biological control. Some adult syrphid flies are important pollinators.

About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described. Hoverflies are common throughout the world and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.Flower Flies at the USDA Entomology site

Hoverflies and gardening

Characteristic wing venation of the Syrphidae

Hoverfly larvae prey upon pest insects, including the leafhoppers which spread some diseases like curly top. Therefore they are seen in agriculture as a natural means of reducing the risk of diseases like curly top.

Gardeners, therefore, will sometimes use companion plants to attract hoverflies. Those reputed to do so include alyssum, Iberis umbellata, statice, buckwheat, chamomile, parsley, and yarrow.

Identification guides

• Stubbs, A.E. and Falk, S.J. (2002) British Hoverflies An Illustrated Identification Guide. Pub. 1983 with 469 pages, 12 col plates, b/w illus.British Entomological and Natural History Society . 276 species are described with extensive keys to aid identification. 190 species are displayed on the colour plates. 2nd edition, pub. 2002, includes new British species and name changes. Also includes European species which are likely to be found in Britain. There are additional black & white plates illustrating the male genitalia of the difficult genera Cheilosia and Sphaerophoria.
• Vockeroth , J.R. A revision of the genera of the Syrphini (Diptera: Syrphidae) Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada, no. 62:1-176. Keys subfamilies, tribes and genera on a world basis and under regions.

Species lists

• Nearctica
• West Palaearctic including Russia
• Australasian/Oceanian

See also

• Bibliography covers morphology, identification, taxonomy, biology and faunistics
• List of Hoverfly species recorded in Britain

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Syrphidae

Wikispecies has information related to:

Syrphidae

• All About Hoverflies
• The web-site of the British Hoverfly Recording Scheme includes photos, maps and species accounts
• Syrphidae species in Europe, with photos, range maps and literature
• USDA Entomology site
• Large numbers of Syrphidae photos
• Northwest European Hoverflies: identification keys and photos
• Identification key for Volucella species
• Photographs of World Hoverflies from Japan, in English
• Diptera.info Picture Gallery

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