[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t
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Order: Diptera<\/span> Syrphid flies, commonly referred to as hover flies, are brightly colored yellow or orange flies with black markings that mimic bees or yellow jackets. However, syrphid flies are harmless to people. Syrphid flies are slender, typically 4-25 mm (1\/8-1 inch) in length and have one pair of wings. The eggs are elongated, slightly curved, around 1 mm (1\/25 inch) in length, and found near food sources for larvae such as aphid colonies.<\/p>\n The larvae are light colored with varying shades of white, green, tan, or brown and often have strips, small bumps, or spikes. They are maggots with bodies that taper at the ends and lack an external head capsule. After hatching, larvae are about 1.5 mm (1\/16 inch) long. When mature, they measure about 1.3 cm (1\/2 inch) long. Pupation occurs on vegetation, bark, or a stationary object. The teardrop or bulb shaped pupae have a leathery texture, small bumps at the rear, and measure about 1.3 cm (1\/2 inch) in length.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h1″ header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”6%|6%|6%|6%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/Adult-syrphid-fly-jpg.webp” alt=”Syrphid fly larva eating aphid.” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult syrphid fly feeding on a flower. Image credits: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/Adult-syrphid-fly-slender-abdomen-jpg.webp” alt=”Syrphid fly larva eating aphid.” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult syrphid fly. Note the slender abdomen and short antennae. Image credit: Jeremy Lee, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/larva-syrphid-fly-jpg.webp” alt=”Syrphid fly adult resting on a leaf” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Larva of syrphid fly near an aphid colony. Image credits: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/syrphid-pupa-jpg.webp” alt=”Syrphid fly adult resting on a leaf” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Syrphid fly pupa. Note the tear drop shape and bumps at the rear. Image credit: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/09\/syrphid-fly-yellow-jacket-comparison-jpg.webp” alt=”Syrphid fly adult resting on a leaf” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Syrphid fly (right) next to a yellow jacket (left). Note the shorter antennae on the syrphid fly. Image credit: Frank E French, Georgia Southern University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Syrphid flies have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larvae molt three times, getting larger with each instar before pupating. Syrphids typically overwinter in protected areas as prepupae. After emerging as adults, females mate and lay eggs near aphid colonies or other small, soft-bodied insects. The larvae are active predators that begin feeding after they hatch. A single syrphid fly larva can consume over 100 aphids throughout its development. One or more generations can be produced each year, depending on the species.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Reducing the use of broad-spectrum insecticides helps conserve syrphid flies and their larvae, improving long-term control of insect pests. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Images\/Intro\/Quick Facts” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” custom_padding=”|4%|||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Price, S., and R. Patterson. 2019.<\/strong> Beneficial Predators: Syrphid Flies. Utah State University \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/digitalcommons.usu.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=2969&context=extension_curall#:~:text=Syrphid%20flies%20are%20common%20residents,home%20landscapes%20providing%20pollination%20services.&text=Larvae%20of%20syrphid%20flies%20are,providing%20naturally%20occurring%20pest%20control.<\/a><\/p>\n Schuh, M. 2022.<\/strong> Syrphid flies. University of Minnesota \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/beneficial-insects\/syrphid-flies<\/a><\/p>\n
Family: Syrphidae<\/p>\nDescription<\/h2>\n
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Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
Conservation<\/h2>\n
Planting suitable habitats can provide syrphid flies with shelter and prey for larvae. Flowers preferred by syrphid flies include aster, buttercup, mustard, carnation, rose, and parsley. Such plantings can be especially beneficial early in the season before pests become abundant. <\/p>\nReferences<\/h2>\n