Identification
Very convincing mimics of wasps: pattern of pigment on eyes hides "fly eyes". "V" mark on thorax (scutum, in front of scutellum). Short antennae.
Range
Widespread: holarctic, palearctic, neotropical, other(?)
NCSU Entomology Collection entry for the genus lists just three species from that state, with specimen numbers: alcimus (3), fusca (9), longicornis (49). It seems that S. longicornis is widespread, also being found in Oklahoma.
(2) Four species (fusca, hamifera, longicornis, quadrifasciata) are listed from Michigan at the
University of Michigan Entomology Collection.
Habitat
Open areas with flowers near forests.
Food
Adults take pollen and/or nectar from various flowers.
Life Cycle
Larvae live in water-filled holes in trees.
Remarks
Remarkable mimics of social wasps. Has "habit of resting on the four posterior legs and waving front legs about in almost the same way that vespids move their antennae".
(2)
Spilomyia is apparently from
spilo Greek mark, plus
myia Greek fly/bug. This is based on Internet searches and Gordh.
(3) Print References
Borror and White, p. 281, show wing venation of this genus.
(4)
American Museum Novitates, no.1492, 1951. Synopsis of the North American species of Spilomyia (Syrphidae, Diptera), by C.H. Curran. 11 p. (From an Internet reference)
Paper by F.C. Thompson (Abstract cited in Internet References, but page comes up empty):
Thompson, F.C. 1996. Spilomyia Flower Flies of the New World (Diptera: Syrphidae). Memoir Entomol. Soc. Wash. 18:261-272.
Internet References
USDA-SEL has photo of
Spilomyia species.
Insects of Cedar Creek has an
image of S. longicornis. Pigment in eye is rather faded, but visible, in the specimen.
Dutch Syrphids has an image of
S. diopthalmia and some life history information on genus.
Abstract of paper by F.C. Thompson on
Spilomyia Flower Flies Of The New World has some information on life-history, range.
Syrphidae of Ontario--images of several species
Contributed by
Cotinis on 10 April, 2004 - 9:25pm
Additional contributions by
Hartmut WischLast updated 15 November, 2006 - 7:10pm
