Hoverfly
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| Syrphidae | ||||||||||||
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| Image:Hoverfly07.jpg Hoverfly resting on a grass stalk late in the day
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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| Subfamilies | ||||||||||||
200 genera |
- 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.
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[edit] Hoverflies and gardening
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.
[edit] Gallery
Volucella September 2007-2.jpg
Volucella zonaria, one of the largest hoverflies in Europe, a mimic of Vespa crabro |
Hoverfly on leave.jpg
Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta) on a leaf of an oleander |
Hoverfly on flower.jpg
Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta) on a Hawkweed flower (Hieracium sp.) |
Hoverfly on flower.JPG
Female hoverfly of the genus Eristalis |
Flowerflycleaning.jpg
Syritta pipiens |
Schwebfliege.jpg
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FlowerFly-BeeType.jpg
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Syrphid fly Temnostoma.jpg
Wasp Mimic Temnostoma sp. |
Bluebells And A Syrphid Fly.jpg
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Hoverfly close.jpg
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Volucella inanis fg1.jpg
Volucella inanis |
FlyingBugPollinating-Oct15-lighter-cleaner.jpg
Ocyptamus sp. |
Syrphid fly Mallota 1.jpg
Bumblebee Mimic |
Hoverfly06.jpg
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Flower fly Victoria, Australia Oct 2003.jpg
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Hoverfly macro.jpg
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Helophilus pendulus (female).jpg
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Syrphid Wynaad.jpg
Bee mimic from the Western Ghats |
Hoverflies mating midair.jpg
Hoverflies mate in midair |
Hoverfly on a daisy.jpg
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Drone fly feeding on marigold.jpg
Drone fly feeding on marigold |
[edit] 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 [ISBN 1-899935-05-3]. 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.
[edit] Species lists
[edit] See also
- Bibliography covers morphology, identification, taxonomy, biology and faunistics
- List of Hoverfly species recorded in Britain
[edit] External links
- 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 Galleryda:Svirreflue
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