Pesticide-tolerance
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Eristalis tenax
Common Drone Fly, Drone Fly, Rat-tailed Maggot
Eristalis tenax is a cosmopolitan hoverfly (Syrphidae) and the most widely distributed syrphid species globally, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. Adults are striking mimics of honey bees, exhibiting Batesian mimicry that provides protection from predators. The larval stage, known as the rat-tailed maggot, is aquatic and inhabits polluted water containing organic matter, using an elongated posterior siphon for respiration. Adults are important generalist pollinators, particularly of Asteraceae flowers. The species exhibits strong territorial behavior in males and has been documented to cause rare cases of accidental myiasis in humans.