Tree-hole-specialist
Guides
Mallota mississipensis
Eastern Mimic Fly
Mallota mississipensis is a species of hover fly (family Syrphidae) in the subfamily Eristalinae. It is one of approximately 13 species in the genus Mallota found in North America. The species is a bumble bee mimic, exhibiting the black and yellow coloration typical of this defensive mimicry strategy. Like other members of its genus, the larvae develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments, specifically in water that collects in tree holes. The species is known from eastern North America, with observations documented in the iNaturalist database.