Flower flies

Definition

A common name for hoverflies (family Syrphidae), referring to the adults' frequent presence at flowers where they feed on nectar and pollen. The name emphasizes their ecological role as pollinators and their characteristic hovering flight while foraging at blossoms, distinguishing them from other flower-visiting insects by their single pair of wings (Diptera) and often wasp- or bee-mimicking coloration.

Etymology

Example

In agricultural settings, flower flies such as Eristalis and Syrphus species provide both pollination services and biological control, as their larvae prey on aphid pests while adults transfer pollen among crop flowers.

Synonyms

• Hoverflies
• Syrphids

Related Terms

• Hoverfly
• Syrphidae
• Mimicry
• Pollination
• Aphidophagous
• Diptera

Usage Notes

Used interchangeably with 'hoverflies' in North American vernacular; 'syrphids' is preferred in technical literature. The term refers to the family Syrphidae as a whole, not to any single species or genus. Some regional usage may restrict 'flower flies' to particular syrphid subfamilies or genera with especially conspicuous flower association, but this is inconsistent. Contrast with 'bee flies' (Bombyliidae), a separate dipteran family with similar flower-visiting habits but different larval ecology.