Sericomyia transversa

(Osburn, 1926)

Yellow-spotted Pond Fly

Sericomyia transversa is an uncommon syrphid fly found in northeastern North America. , known as hoverflies or flower flies, are capable of nearly motionless and are commonly observed visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. The belongs to a whose larvae are known as rat-tailed maggots, possessing an extensible breathing siphon that allows them to inhabit aquatic environments. The species was first described by Osburn in 1926.

Sericomyia transversa 57012547 by Christian Grenier. Used under a CC0 license.Sericomyia transversa map 2023 by Stephen Fox. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sericomyia transversa: /ˌsɛrɪˈkoʊmiə trænzˈvɜrsə/

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Identification

The can be distinguished from other Sericomyia by the yellow spots that give it its . As a member of the tribe Sericomyiina, it shares the general body plan of other hoverflies in the , though specific diagnostic features for this particular species are not well documented in available sources.

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Habitat

Larvae of the Sericomyia are known to inhabit bog mat pools. are associated with flowers in grassland and wetland edge .

Distribution

Northeastern North America.

Diet

feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Larval diet is presumed to involve filter-feeding on bacteria and other microbes from organic matter in aquatic substrates, consistent with other members of the , though this has not been directly documented for this .

Life Cycle

Larvae are aquatic rat-tailed maggots with an extensible breathing siphon. They pupate on dry land. The complete duration and number of per year are not documented.

Behavior

are capable of hovering . They are flower visitors and contribute to pollination.

Ecological Role

function as when visiting flowers. Larvae contribute to nutrient cycling in aquatic environments through filter-feeding on organic matter.

Human Relevance

provide pollination services. The has been recorded in surveys in grassland restoration projects.

Similar Taxa

  • Sericomyia silentisAlso known as the Yellow-barred Peat Hoverfly, occurs in similar and geographic regions; distinguished by different thoracic markings.
  • Eristalis tenaxAnother common rat-tailed maggot hoverfly with similar larval in organic-rich water; are larger and have different coloration, with a more pronounced -mimic appearance.

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Sources and further reading