Syrphidae

The Syrphidae, commonly known as flower flies, flowerflies, hover flies, and hoverflies, are a family of flies (Diptera).

As one of their names suggests, they typically gather around flowers; the adults feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae (maggots[?]) eat a wide range of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprophytes[?], eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are carnivores and prey on aphids, thrips[?], and other plant-sucking insects. Aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year, and so aphid-feeding hoverflies are being recognised as important natural enemies, and potential agents for use in biological control[?].

Some syrphids mimic bees or wasps in appearance, in some cases bearing an alarming resemblance, both in shape and coloration. It is thought that this mimicry[?] protects hoverflies against falling prey to birds and other insectivores which avoid eating true wasps because of their sting.

About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described.

External links

• Syrphidae species in Europe (http://www.syrphidae.com)
• USDA Entomology site (http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/diptera/syrphid/syrphid.htm)
• Large numbers of Syrphidae photos (http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T661.HTM)