Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Mallota bautias (Walker)
Numbers
one of two species in Ontario (the other is posticata)
Identification
abdomen black pilose beyond first segment; eyes bare (not pilose as in M. posticata)
Habitat
woodlands and wood edges; adults frequently visit flowers
Season
April to June in the south (Oklahoma); mid-May to mid-July in the north (Ontario)
Food
larvae are deposit filter-feeders in water-filled tree holes
Remarks
Males show hilltopping behavior - they congregate in open areas of high elevation (hilltops, moraines, escarpments, clifftops) and wait for females to arrive to mate.
See Also
M. posticata has pilose eyes (short hairs covering surface), and usually has thick yellow hair on basal segments of abdomen
Internet References
live and pinned adult images with arrows indicating key field marks, plus seasonality and other info (Jeff Skevington, Field Guide to Flower Flies of Ontario)
description plus key to species, and seasonality (Daniel Shorter and W.A. Drew, Syrphidae of Oklahoma)
