Flower Flies, Hover Flies: family Syrphidae

Family Syrphidae (Flower Flies or Hover Flies)
Guide from @edanko: https://sites.google.com/view/flyguide

"Hoverflies are important pollinators of flowering plants in many ecosystems worldwide. Syrphid flies are frequent flower visitors to a wide range of wild plants, as well as agricultural crops, and are often considered the second-most important group of pollinators after wild bees. However, relatively little research into fly pollinators has been conducted compared with bee species. Bees are thought to be able to carry a greater volume of pollen on their bodies, but flies may be able to compensate for this by making a greater number of flower visits.

Like many pollinator groups, syrphid flies range from species that take a generalist approach to foraging by visiting a wide range of plant species through those that specialize in a narrow range of plants. Although hoverflies are often considered mainly nonselective pollinators, some hoverflies species are highly selective and carry pollen from one plant species. Cheilosia albitarsis is thought to only visit Ranunculus repens.

Specific flower preferences differ among species, but syrphid fly species have repeatedly been shown to prefer white- and yellow-coloured flowers.
Larvae of many hoverfly species prey upon pest insects, including aphids and leafhoppers.

With a few exceptions hoverflies are distinguished from other flies by having a spurious vein, located parallel to their fourth longitudinal wing vein." - Wikipedia


  • Common Drone fly. (Eristalis tenax) really looks like honey bee
    https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/41684048
  • type of drone fly, tribe Milesiini, Chriorhinina, Yellowjacket flies, Genus Sphecomyia
    Patton's Yellowjacket Fly
    https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42209035
  • type of drone fly, also Milesiini, Chriorhinina, Bumble Flies, Genus Criorhina
    In Redmond Watershed Preserve. "the woods". https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/41205626
  • Tribe Bachhini "small, elongated, slender"
    Platycheirus https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40696132
    Platycheirus https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/41684956
    Platycheirus https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40561810
    Variable Duskyface fly, Genus Melanostoma https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40298754
  • Tribe Syrphini - Hover flies
    American Thintail Meliscaeva cinctella https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/41683874
    https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42430418
  • Needs ID (or photo inadequate)
    https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/40561810
    First of spring (Redmond Watershed Preserve): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71496110
    looking a bit like small bumble bee. didn't see the hovering.
  • Posted on 05 de outubro de 2020, 11:58 PM by williamkimzey williamkimzey

    Observações

    Fotos / Sons

    Observador

    williamkimzey

    Data

    Março 12, 2021 02:21 PM PST

    Descrição

    on indian plum. first of season.

    not much (any?) pollen on legs.

    my gut feeling was bumblebee, but it seemed smaller than most i see

    Fotos / Sons

    Observador

    williamkimzey

    Data

    Março 12, 2021 02:55 PM PST

    Fotos / Sons

    Observador

    williamkimzey

    Data

    Março 31, 2021 12:14 PM PDT

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