Hoverfly

Hoverflies, also known as syrphid flies, are a family of Diptera (Syrphidae) found worldwide. They are commonly seen around flowers, where adults feed on nectar and pollen, and many species can hover in place or perform rapid flights. Their coloration often mimics stinging bees or wasps, a form of Batesian mimicry that helps deter predators.

Description: Hoverflies range from about 5 to 20 millimeters in length. They have a single pair of wings, large eyes, short antennae, and a robust body with markings that vary by species. Many hoverflies display bold yellow and black patterns, while others resemble bees more closely or have subdued coloration.

Life cycle and larval diversity: Hoverflies undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are laid near aphid colonies or in decaying organic matter. Larvae exhibit diverse lifestyles depending on the subfamily: many Syrphinae are aphid predators and provide natural pest control; other subfamilies include saprophagous larvae that feed on decaying vegetation, and aquatic or semi-aquatic forms such as the rat-tailed maggot (in the genus Eristalis) with elongated breathing tubes. Pupation occurs in sheltered locations, after which adults emerge to mate and disperse.

Ecology and significance: Adults are important pollinators of many flowering plants. Larvae contribute to pest suppression by reducing aphid populations, making hoverflies beneficial in gardens and agricultural settings. Notable species with wide distributions include the drone fly (Eristalis tenax) and Episyrphus balteatus, both commonly observed around flowers in temperate regions.

Taxonomy: The family Syrphidae contains numerous genera, including Eristalis, Syrphus, Episyrphus, and Eupeodes. Hoverflies are distinguished from bees and wasps by their two wings and distinctive documentation of their larval diversity and ecological roles.