Hoverfly

Hoverflies, also called flower flies or syrphids, 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, specifically detritivores, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores, preying on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects.

Insects such as aphids are considered crop pests, so the aphid-eating larvae of some hoverflies are economically and ecologically important. The larvae are potential agents for use in biological control, while the adults are 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 mammals, though many species are mimics of stinging wasps and bees, a mimicry which may serve to ward off predators.

Hoverfly hovering behavior is unlike that of hummingbirds since they do not feed in midair. Hovering in general may be a means of finding a food source. Male hovering is often a territorial display while seeking females, while female hovering serves to inspect ovipositing sites.

• Adult hoverflies often hover over the plants they visit
• Eupeodes fumipennis
• Eupeodes volucris
• Helophilus fasciatus
• Syritta pipiens
• A hoverfly on flowers in Japan
• A purple bromeliad fly visiting Paris daisy, variety Madeira deep pink. Last scene is repeated at one fourth speed
• A female common drone fly on Zinnia. A portion shown in close-up played at one-tenth place
• Female Western Calligrapher on zinnia taking pollen and nectar. Insert shows entire visit at 3X speed. Some portions of main video shown at one-tenth speed
• Female margined calligrapher fly consuming pollen from zinnia florets. A portion shown at one-tenth speed