Hover Flies
What are they?
Hover flies - also known as flower flies - form a large and varied group, from retiring and elusive individuals, to species that can appear in large, migratory swarms in late summer. Though some species are dark in color, many are clearly wasp and bee mimics and can be seen feeding avidly at flowers in gardens, fields and other sunny areas. Most species have predatory larvae, with a number of them feeding on aphids and similar garden pests.
Identification
Some species are rather small, dark and consequently difficult to identify, but many are fairly straight forward to identify to species, with careful attention to color and pattern of abdomen, thorax and legs. As with many insects, wing venation can be important for getitng to the genus level.
Epistrophe grossulariae
One of several very similar species of wasp mimics. A rather small, slender species with dark antennae.
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Eristalis dimidiata
A rather dark bee mimic which can be very common on asters and goldenrods in late summer.
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Eristalis transversa
A relatively distinctive hover fly due to the combination of the two-toned thorax and the yellow scutellum (the small section at the top end of the abdomen, adjacent to the back of the thorax).
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Lejops curvipes
A bright orange-red species that perhaps mimics one of the solitary wasp species.
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Meromacrus acutus
An uncommon species that is usually found solitarily in wooded areas. The shape and pattern of yellow markings on this black and yellow wasp mimic is diagnostic. Note also the dark mark on the wings.
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Milesia virginiensis
Yellowjacket Hover Fly. A small but distinctively-marked species that is widespread and quite common during the summer months.
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Sphecomyia vittata
A very convincing wasp mimic, with bold black and yellow pattern and even unusually long antennae for a fly. Note the distinctive thorax pattern of four yellow dashes.
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Spilomyia longicornis
A very convincing wasp mimic, with bold black and yellow pattern. Note the distinctive thorax pattern and the narrowness of the abdominal stripes.
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