Syrphinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Syrphinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Syrphinae: /ˈsɜrfɪˌniː/

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

Images

Platycheirus trichopus 102440645 by Don Loarie. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Platycheirus hyperboreus 3 by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Melanostoma mellinum (male) - Flickr - Martin Cooper Ipswich by Martin Cooper from Ipswich, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Platycheirus stegnus 01 by Libby Avis, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Used under a CC0 license.

Plat.scambus by Sandy Rae. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Melanostoma mellinum 364664200 by Claus Giloi. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

The Syrphinae are a subfamily of hoverflies (family Syrphidae), predominantly consisting of aphid-feeding larvae. They play a significant role in biological control of aphids and contribute to pollination of various plants. With a broad range of species, they exhibit diverse feeding preferences and a complex evolutionary history.

Physical Characteristics

Adults have bare humeri (postpronotal lobes), often hidden by the concave posterior of their close fitting heads. Larvae possess pairs of locomotory organs on the first six abdominal segments, which are not true prolegs as they lack musculature and crochets.

Identification Tips

Keys to most North American species are available.

Habitat

Adults exploit pollen and nectar from native plants, particularly those with large inflorescences and flat corollae such as Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rosaceae.

Distribution

~300 species in 43 genera in North America, with over 1,600 species overall.

Diet

Larvae primarily feed on aphids, with some being generalists and others specializing on a few species. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid, followed by larval development which involves feeding on aphids before pupation.

Ecosystem Role

Efficient biocontrol agents of aphids and minor pollinators.

Evolution

The classification of tribes within the Syrphinae is in flux, with only Paragini and Toxomerini appearing to be monophyletic. The group is known to be monophyletic based on phylogenetic studies.