Syrphid Flies (Flower/Hover Flies)

Syrphid flies (Family Syrphidae) are also known as flower flies or hover flies because they visit flowers to feed on nectar and pollen, often hovering in place while doing so. The adult flies are not predaceous, but many species of syrphid fly larvae are, preying on plant-sucking insects such as aphids, scale insects and thrips. The larvae of some other species feed on decaying plant and animal matter. Syrphid flies are therefore beneficial. Predaceous species of syrphid fly larvae help to suppress aphid infestations, as each larva is capable of consuming hundreds of aphids during its larval development.

Many syrphid flies exhibit Batesian mimicry by impersonating bees and wasps, such as those belonging to the genera Syrphus and Helophilus, to name but a few.

: Example of a Syrphid Fly (feeding on Queen Anne’s Lace pollen)

: Drone Fly/Dronefly (a type of syrphid fly which mimics a honey bee drone, such as Eristalis tenax)

: Another specimen of a species of syrphid fly called a Drone Fly (sometimes written as one word: Dronefly)

: Syrphid flies (droneflies) feeding on pollen of narrow-leaved goldenrod flowers (Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park; 10/10/2017)

: An example of a Hover fly or Syrphid fly that mimics bee/wasp-like patterning

: A species of Syrphid fly: Toxomerus marginatus

: Toxomerus marginatus feeding on nectar from a hop clover flower.

: Syrphid Fly – Photo courtesy of Dana Wilde from Unity, ME (mid July 2013)

Additional Information:

Syrphid Flies/Flower Flies/Hover Flies (Washington State University)
Drone Flies (BugGuide.net)