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Hoverflies, sometimes 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.
Aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year; because of this, aphid-eating hoverflies 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 all continents except Antarctica. Hoverflies are harmless to most other animals, despite their mimicry of more dangerous wasps and bees, which wards off predators.Hoverflies, sometimes 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.
Aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year; because of this, aphid-eating hoverflies 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 all continents except Antarctica. Hoverflies are harmless to most other animals, despite their mimicry of more dangerous wasps and bees, which wards off predators.
My friend let me loose in his beautiful garden again today. I took pictures of so many pretty flowers.
Taken 29th September 2011 Manor Estate Stafford.
Thank you Andy for ID
Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer 1776) —
Marmalade Hoverfly
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animlia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Syrphinae
Tribe: Syrphini
Genus: Episyrphus
Species: Episyrphus balteatus
Source : Wikipedia
A hoverfly lands on a catchfly (silene) flower. The fly looks like a wasp but this is Batesian mimicry. They are harmless and don't bite or sting humans.
This White-footed hovefly was photograped on an herbaceous potentilla flower.
The species is quite common and widespread througout Britain in hedgerows and gardens. It appears from March to November, peaking in May/early June and again in July/August. The larvae are found on low growing bushes where they eat aphids.
This is a relatively small hoverfly with grey-silver spots, though in the male these can have a bronze tint. The 'pale foot' refers to the pale swelling in the front tibia (foot) of the male; however other Platycheirus species have this too.
The Large Spotty-eyed Dronefly (Eristalinus aeneus) is one of two UK hoverfly species with spotted eyes. About 12mm long with a shiny bronze-black body, and the characteristic spotty eyes with no hairs on the lower part of the eye. It is predominantly a coastal species of saltmarsh, shingle and rocky cliffs, but is occcasionally found well inland. The rat-tailed larvae have been found in rotting seaweed. Eristalinus aeneus is one of the few British hoverflies that seems to be able to overwinter as an adult. It is also known as the Common Lagoon Fly. Happy Fly Day Friday everyone!
Hoverfly at 4x magnification. 76 image stack.
Brian Tomlinson photography:
Website: www.bt-photography.co.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bt_photo