Subfamily Syrphinae

Classification · Identification · Food · Remarks · Internet References

Toxomerus Hover Fly - Toxomerus geminatus - female

Four-spotted Aphid Fly - Pseudodoros clavatus - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon (Aschiza)

Family Syrphidae (Syrphid Flies)

Subfamily Syrphinae

Identification

According to Insects of Cedar Creek: Adults have bare humeri (postpronotal lobes), though these are often hidden by the concave posterior of their close fitting heads.

Food

The larvae are primarily aphid predators.

Adults exploit pollen and nectar produced by native plants having large inflorescences and flat corollae (e.g. Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae and Rosaceae).

Remarks

They are considered efficient biocontrol agents.

Internet References

Cedar Creek

University of California

Contributed by Beatriz Moisset on 10 March, 2005 - 1:53pm
Last updated 18 May, 2007 - 12:16pm

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