Eumerus

Meigen, 1822

Lesser Bulb Flies

Species Guides

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Eumerus is a large of hoverflies ( Syrphidae) comprising approximately 281 . are small to medium (5–12 mm) with distinctive morphological features including a smooth cylindrical , powerful hind legs with thickened , and a flat hairy . The genus is notable for containing several agricultural pests whose larvae damage bulbs and roots of ornamental and crop plants.

Eumerus funeralis by (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Eumerus by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.Eumerus by (c) Michael Knapp, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Knapp. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eumerus: /juːˈmeɪrəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other hoverfly by combination of: powerful hind legs with thickened ; flat with downward-directed hairs; reentrant upper crossvein; front cross- with pronounced kink; smooth cylindrical with segmental constrictions. Males have that meet at top of ; females have eyes separated.

Images

Habitat

Open, semi-humid to dry grasslands; open forests and savannas; karoo vegetation and semi-deserts; rocky outcrops with sparse vegetation; urban gardens, parks, and nurseries. Agricultural and horticultural settings where bulb and root crops are grown commercially.

Distribution

Widespread across multiple biogeographic regions: Europe (including Great Britain, Holland); North America (introduced, first recorded 1904); Afrotropical Region ( groups present).

Diet

Larvae feed on bulbs and roots of plants. Specific diet not documented in sources.

Host Associations

  • narcissus - larval major commercial pest
  • onion - larval also known as "Lunate Onion Fly"
  • hyacinth - larval
  • parsnip - larval
  • iris - larval
  • potato - larval
  • Aloe species - larval Afrotropical

Life Cycle

Larvae develop within plant bulbs and roots. Specific details of , pupal, and longevity not documented in provided sources.

Behavior

Larvae cause damage to plant bulbs and roots, resulting in serious losses in commercial narcissus . Some regarded as pests in urban gardens, parks, and nurseries. present in some species, complicating sex association.

Ecological Role

Larvae function as plant pests in agricultural and horticultural . role in pollination not explicitly documented in sources.

Human Relevance

Several are significant agricultural and horticultural pests. Larvae cause economically important damage to narcissus, onion, and other bulb crops. Introduced in North America represent European introductions.

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