Sericomyia harveyi

(Osburn, 1908)

Harvey's Pond Fly

Sericomyia harveyi is a hoverfly in the Syrphidae, Eristalinae. The Sericomyia is part of the tribe Milesiini and is characterized by larvae that inhabit bog mat pools and other wetland . are that visit flowers for nectar and pollen. The species was described by Osburn in 1908.

Sericomyia harveyi wing by RAYMOND C. OSBURN. Used under a Public domain license.

Sericomyia harveyi male by RAYMOND C. OSBURN. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sericomyia harveyi: /ˌsɛrɪkoʊˈmaɪə ˈhɑrvi.aɪ/

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Identification

Members of the Sericomyia can be distinguished from other hoverfly genera by their overall and larval preferences. Within the genus, -level identification requires examination of specific morphological characters. typically have a robust body form characteristic of the tribe Milesiini. Larvae possess the distinctive rat-tailed maggot form with an extensible siphon for breathing, though the siphon length in Sericomyia is shorter than in the related genus Eristalis.

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Habitat

Larvae inhabit bog mat pools and other wetland environments with saturated organic substrates. The specific epithet 'harveyi' and 'Harvey's Pond Fly' suggest association with pond . are found in areas near larval development sites where flowering vegetation is present.

Diet

Larvae filter bacteria and other microbes from organic matter in water. feed on nectar and pollen from flowers.

Life Cycle

are laid in or near water. Larvae are aquatic, living in bog mat pools with an extensible siphon that connects to the water surface for respiration. Mature larvae seek dry land to pupate; the pupal capsule is hard and mouse-shaped. emerge from pupae and are capable of .

Behavior

Larvae remain connected to the water surface at all times via their breathing siphon while filtering organic material. are flower visitors and .

Ecological Role

Larvae contribute to nutrient cycling in wetland through their filter-feeding activity on organic matter. serve as of wildflowers and other flowering plants.

Human Relevance

are that may contribute to pollination of wildflowers and potentially crop plants. The presence of larvae in water gardens and ponds can indicate healthy wetland conditions, though they may be affected by mosquito control measures such as .

Similar Taxa

Eristalis spp.Also have rat-tailed maggot larvae, but Eristalis larvae possess much longer siphons and typically inhabit putrid, organic-rich standing water in more urban and suburban settings rather than bog mat pools.
Chrysogaster spp.Have rat-tailed maggot larvae with short siphons, but are found along pond edges and among emergent vegetation rather than bog mat pools.
Mallota spp.Have rat-tailed maggot larvae that inhabit water collected in tree holes, a distinct microhabitat from the bog pools used by Sericomyia.

More Details

Taxonomic placement

Sericomyia harveyi is placed in the subtribe Sericomyiina within the tribe Milesiini. The Sericomyia is one of several genera in the Syrphidae with rat-tailed maggot larvae, a convergent to low-oxygen aquatic environments.

Larval morphology

Like other members of the tribe Milesiini, Sericomyia larvae possess leg-like knobs along the body and the distinctive extensible breathing siphon. The siphon length is intermediate between the very long siphons of Eristalis and the short siphons of Chrysogaster.