Heringia

Rondani, 1856

Smoothleg Flies

Species Guides

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Heringia is a of small hoverflies (Syrphidae) commonly known as Smoothleg Flies. occur in North America and Europe. Larvae are predatory on specific species, including woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), woolly elm aphid (Schizoneura), and aphids on poplar (Pemphigus) and fir (Dreyfusia). feed on honeydew and pollen. The genus is part of the "little black fly" group, with females generally unidentifiable to species.

Pipiza pistica by Williston S.W.. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Heringia: /hɛˈrɪŋiə/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Trichopsomyia by bare anepisternum (pilose in Trichopsomyia). Straight with evenly rounded oral margin and very short frontal prominence separates it from related pipizine genera. Straight or nearly straight R4+5 (not dipped or spurred) and smooth legs without spines or spurs are diagnostic. Females cannot be identified to ; species-level identification restricted to males.

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Habitat

Associated with plants of prey aphids: apple orchards (Malus), elm (Ulmus), poplar (Populus), and fir (Abies). Larvae develop within colonies on these host plants.

Distribution

North America and Europe.

Diet

Larvae predatory on specific : Schizoneura aphids on Ulmus, Pemphigus aphids on Populus, Dreyfusia piceae on Abies, and Eriosoma lanigerum on Malus. feed on honeydew and pollen.

Host Associations

Life Cycle

, three larval instars, pupa, . Eggs laid singly on leaves near colonies. Larval development occurs within aphid colonies. First and second instar larvae feed on small aphid colonies; third instars can attack larger colonies.

Behavior

Specialized with strong prey specificity. do not prey on aphids; larval stages are the predatory phase. Oviposition occurs on leaves near colonies, with higher densities on leaves with greater aphid densities.

Ecological Role

agent of specific pests, particularly woolly apple aphid in orchard systems. Natural enemy contributing to suppression of aphid on woody plants.

Human Relevance

Heringia calcarata recognized as an important agent of woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) in apple orchards, with potential for applications.

Similar Taxa

More Details

Taxonomic note on authorship

The Heringia in Diptera was established by Rondani in 1856. A homonymous algal genus Heringia J.Agardh, 1842 exists in Rhodophyta (red ); these are unrelated .

Identification limitation

Females of Heringia cannot be identified to level; species-level relies on male characteristics.

Species diversity

Approximately 40 described , with many described by Curran in 1921 from North America.

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Sources and further reading