Syrphid
Guides
Parasyrphus semiinterruptus
Emarginate Bristleside
Parasyrphus semiinterruptus is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, first described by Fluke in 1935. The species is known by the common name Emarginate Bristleside. It belongs to the genus Parasyrphus, a group of small to medium-sized hoverflies. Available records for this species are limited, with few documented observations.
Parhelophilus obsoletus
Unadorned Bog Fly
Parhelophilus obsoletus is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) found across Canada and the northeastern and central United States. Adults are commonly observed on flowers, where they feed on nectar and pollen. The species is considered fairly common within its range. The larval stage remains undescribed.
Parhelophilus rex
Dusky Bog Fly
Parhelophilus rex, commonly known as the Dusky Bog Fly, is a syrphid fly species described by Curran and Fluke in 1922. It occurs in northern North America and is considered fairly common within its range. Like other hoverflies, adults are capable of nearly motionless flight and are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. The larval stage remains undescribed.
Pipiza femoralis
White-haired Pithead
Pipiza femoralis is a species of syrphid fly (hoverfly) first described by Loew in 1866. It belongs to the tribe Pipizini, a group of small to medium-sized hoverflies. The common name "White-haired Pithead" has been recorded for this species. As with other members of the genus Pipiza, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter and aphid honeydew as adult food sources, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pipiza puella
Sumac Gall Pithead
Pipiza puella is a small hoverfly (Syrphidae) known by the common name 'sumac gall pithead.' Adults are active flower visitors, feeding on nectar and pollen. The species has been documented in eastern and central North America as well as Norway. Larvae are reported to be aphid predators, though detailed life history information remains limited.
Platycheirus confusus
Confusing Sedgesitter
Platycheirus confusus, commonly known as the Confusing Sedgesitter, is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae. The species exhibits a disjunct distribution with separate eastern and western North American populations. Larvae have been successfully reared on the balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae), indicating a predatory lifestyle. Adults are medium-sized syrphid flies with distinctive morphological features useful for identification.
Platycheirus quadratus
Platycheirus quadratus is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) described by Thomas Say in 1823. It belongs to the genus Platycheirus, a diverse group of small to medium-sized hoverflies commonly found in temperate regions. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in current taxonomic databases. Like other syrphid flies, adults are likely pollinators that visit flowers for nectar.
Pocota bomboides
American Pocota
Pocota bomboides is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) native to North America. The species name "bomboides" suggests a resemblance to bumble bees (Bombus), indicating likely Batesian mimicry. As a member of the subfamily Eristalinae, it belongs to a diverse group of flower-visiting flies. Very little specific biological information has been published for this species.
Pyrophaena granditarsis
Hornhand Sedgesitter
Pyrophaena granditarsis is a small hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as the Hornhand Sedgesitter. The species is recognized by its distinctive enlarged hind tarsi in males. It is associated with wetland habitats, particularly sedge-dominated areas. The species has been documented across northern temperate regions with 463 iNaturalist observations.
Scaeva
Scaeva is a genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) comprising approximately seven described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision alongside related genera Simosyrphus and Ischiodon. Adults are pollinators, while larvae are predominantly aphidophagous predators. Scaeva pyrastri has been extensively studied for its biological control potential against agricultural aphid pests.
Sericomyia militaris
Narrow-banded Pond Fly
Sericomyia militaris, commonly called the narrow-banded pond fly, is a North American syrphid fly (hoverfly) found across northern regions of the continent. Adults range from 11.7–17.1 mm in length and are primarily black with narrow yellow abdominal markings. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known as rat-tailed maggots, possessing a distinctive posterior breathing siphon.
Sericomyia nigra
Polar Pond Fly
Sericomyia nigra is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) described by Portschinsky in 1873. It belongs to the tribe Milesiini within subfamily Eristalinae. The species is known from Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) based on distribution records. As a member of the genus Sericomyia, its larvae likely develop in bog mat pools, though this specific habitat association has not been directly documented for S. nigra itself. Adults are presumably pollinators, as is characteristic of the family.
Sericomyia slossonae
Slosson's Pond Fly
Sericomyia slossonae is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) in the tribe Milesiini. The genus Sericomyia is part of the group commonly known as "rat-tailed maggots" due to their larvae possessing an extensible posterior breathing siphon. Larvae of Sericomyia species are known to inhabit bog mat pools. Adults are pollinators that visit flowers for nectar and pollen. The species was described by Curran in 1934 and is accepted as valid.
Sericomyia transversa
Yellow-spotted Pond Fly
Sericomyia transversa is an uncommon syrphid fly found in northeastern North America. Adults, known as hoverflies or flower flies, are capable of nearly motionless flight and are commonly observed visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known as rat-tailed maggots, possessing an extensible posterior breathing siphon that allows them to inhabit aquatic environments. The species was first described by Osburn in 1926.
Sphegina brachygaster
Thick-waisted Pufftail
Sphegina brachygaster, known as the Thick-waisted Pufftail, is a syrphid fly species described by Hull in 1935. It is fairly common in the eastern United States. Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen. Larvae develop in decaying sap accumulations under bark in wet woodland environments.
Sphegina lobata
Yellow-lobed Pufftail
Sphegina lobata, commonly known as the Yellow-lobed Pufftail, is an uncommon species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae. First described by Loew in 1863, this species is found in northeastern North America. Adults are flower visitors, while larvae develop in decaying sap accumulations under bark in moist woodland habitats.
Sphegina rufiventris
Black-horned Pufftail
Sphegina rufiventris is a common syrphid fly species found in the northeastern United States. Adults are commonly observed on flowers, where they feed on nectar and pollen. The species is notable for its ability to hover nearly motionless in flight, a trait shared with other hoverflies. Larvae develop in specialized microhabitats, specifically accumulations of decaying sap under bark in moist environments.
Sphiximorpha cylindrica
Sphiximorpha cylindrica is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, described by Curran in 1921. It belongs to the tribe Cerioidini within the subfamily Eristalinae. The genus Sphiximorpha is known for species that exhibit Batesian mimicry, resembling stinging Hymenoptera such as wasps or bees. As with other members of this genus, S. cylindrica likely possesses a cylindrical body form consistent with its specific epithet.
Spilomyia sayi
Four-lined Hornet Fly
Spilomyia sayi is a common North American hoverfly and wasp mimic, ranging from western Canada to the northeastern United States. Adults are active from June to October and are frequently found on flowers where they feed on nectar and pollen. The species exhibits remarkable mimicry of yellowjacket wasps, including visual, behavioral, and acoustic deception. Larvae develop in decaying heartwood of deciduous trees and in rot holes.
Syritta flaviventris
Peg-legged Compost Fly
Syritta flaviventris is a syrphid fly species known from Madagascar, southern Europe, and introduced populations in the Americas (Chile, Brazil, United States, Mexico). Larvae develop in decaying platyclades of Opuntia maxima, with immature stages described from Spanish Mediterranean populations. Adults have been reared from larvae collected in this cactus substrate.
Temnostoma balyras
Yellow-haired Falsehorn
Temnostoma balyras, commonly known as the Yellow-haired Falsehorn, is a syrphid fly species found in eastern North America. Adults are flower visitors that feed on nectar and pollen. The species exhibits elaborate mimicry of solitary mason wasps, including darkened wing margins and behavioral adaptations. Larvae develop in moist decayed wood, where they use thoracic hooks as rasping organs to burrow.
Teuchocnemis lituratus
Black Spur Fly
Teuchocnemis lituratus, commonly known as the Black Spur Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly found in eastern North America. Adults are medium-sized hover flies, measuring 10.5–15.4 mm in length. The species is distinguished by distinctive morphological features, particularly in males. Larval biology remains unknown.
Toxomerus occidentalis
Western Calligrapher
Toxomerus occidentalis, commonly known as the Western Calligrapher, is a species of hover fly (family Syrphidae) native to western North America. Adults are frequent visitors to flowers where they feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae are predatory, feeding on aphids and mites. The species was described by Curran in 1922 and is one of the more commonly observed syrphid flies in its range.
Toxomerus politus
maize calligrapher
Toxomerus politus, commonly known as the maize calligrapher, is a small hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) measuring 8–9 mm. The species is native to North America but has been introduced and is expanding its distribution across Central and South America, with recent records from Chile. Adults and larvae are associated with corn (Zea mays), feeding on pollen. The species has been studied for its male genitalia morphology and sperm ultrastructure using advanced microscopy techniques.
Tropidia mamillata
Shiny Thickleg
Tropidia mamillata is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) described by Loew in 1861. It belongs to the tribe Milesiini within the subfamily Eristalinae. The species is known from the United States and has been documented through limited observations.
Victoriana parvicornis
Scarlet Hover Fly
Victoriana parvicornis is a hover fly species in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as the Scarlet Hover Fly. It belongs to the tribe Syrphini, which includes many bee- and wasp-mimicking species. The species was described by Loew in 1861. As a member of this diverse family, it likely exhibits typical syrphid characteristics including agile flight and potential pollination behavior, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Volucella
hover-flies, flower flies
Volucella is a genus of large, broad-bodied hoverflies in the family Syrphidae. These flies are notable for their Batesian mimicry of stinging Hymenoptera—particularly bumble bees and hornets—which provides protection from predators. Adults are regular flower visitors that feed on nectar, while larvae develop as inquilines in the nests of social bees and wasps, functioning as detritivores and predators of host larvae. The genus exhibits strong migratory behavior and males are often territorial.
Volucella evecta
Eastern Swiftwing
Volucella evecta, commonly known as the eastern swiftwing, is an uncommon hoverfly native to eastern North America. Once considered a subspecies of Volucella bombylans, genetic evidence has established it as a distinct species. This species exhibits Batesian mimicry, closely resembling bumble bees to avoid predation. Adults are known pollinators that visit flowering plants including Geum, Viburnum, and Rubus.
Volucella facialis
Yellow-faced Swiftwing
Volucella facialis is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as the Yellow-faced Swiftwing. It belongs to a genus noted for Batesian mimicry of bumble bees and wasps. Like other Volucella species, it is an inquiline, laying eggs in the nests of social bees and wasps where larvae consume host brood. The species is found in North America, with records from Vermont and other parts of the United States.
Volucellini
Volucellini is a tribe of hoverflies (Syrphidae) within the subfamily Eristalinae. The tribe includes four genera: Copestylum, Graptomyza, Ornidia, and Volucella. Members are known for their robust, often bee-mimicking appearance and association with rotting plant material, particularly cacti, for larval development. The tribe has a broad distribution with notable diversity in the Neotropical and Afrotropical regions.
Xylota quadrimaculata
Four-spotted Leafwalker
A common species of syrphid fly found in central and eastern North America. Adults are 8.2–11.3 mm long, black with distinctive yellow-orange spots on the abdomen. Unlike most flower flies, adults rarely visit flowers, instead feeding on pollen from leaf surfaces. The larvae develop in rotting wood under bark in sap runs.
Xylota segnis
Orange-belted Leafwalker, brown-toed forest fly, lazy wood fly
Xylota segnis is a common Palearctic and Nearctic hoverfly distinguished by its black abdomen with a prominent orange or yellowish-red patch on tergites 2 and 3. Adults are notable for their sedentary behavior, often resting motionless on leaves rather than actively flying. The species is polyvoltine with up to three generations annually and has been observed from April through September. Larvae develop in decaying tree sap and have also been recorded from decaying human remains.