Syrphid flies gallery
There are numerous species of Syrphidae flies, most of them are pollinators, they come in sizes of less than an eighth of an inch to a little larger than common house flies. Their elegant colorations and paterns imitate bees and wasps. Unlike these insects they don't have a stinger and it is thought that this imitation serves to deter possible predators that would mistakenly fear their sting. Their common names are hover flies and flower flies, which describe their behavior perfectly.
Click on the images to see them enlarged.
Toxomerus marginatus
Toxomerus spp.
Toxomerus geminatus
Allograpta spp.
Syrita pipiens
Either Syrphus sp. or Metasyrphus sp.
These flies are very difficult to identify precisely
Eristalis spp.
Eristalis transversa
Helophilus sp.
More about Syrphid flies
Links to Syrphidae photography:

Syrphid flies
Genera of Flower Flies
Syrphidae Photos
Helophilus sp.
Back to flies
Next
Spherophoria sp.
Spilomya sp., a wasp mimic
Back to homepage
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1