Epistrophella emarginata
(Say, 1823)
Slender Smoothtail
Epistrophella emarginata is a common North American hoverfly ( Syrphidae) with larvae that are specialized . The is notable for its distinctive -laying : females oviposit specifically on leaf petioles rather than on aphid-infested foliage or other substrates. This species is widely distributed across the United States, Canada, and extends into Mexico and Central America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Epistrophella emarginata: //ˌɛpɪstrəˈfɛlə ɛˌmɑrdʒɪˈneɪtə//
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Distribution
United States (widespread: D.C., Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin); Canada (Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick); Central America (Mexico, El Salvador)
Diet
Larvae are . diet not documented.
Behavior
When laying , the female oviposits on the petioles of a leaf—a distinctive that differs from many other aphidophagous hoverflies that deposit eggs directly on colonies.