SYRITTA PIPIENS
Syritta pipiens
FLOWER FLY FAMILY (Syrphidae)
Description
This small fly is approximately 3/8 inch in length. It has a white face and large dark, red eyes. The thorax is black with a pale, wedge shaped marking on the sides. The abdomen is overall black with heavy yellow markings along the sides and a thin, yellow band near the tip The front and middle legs are reddish-brown. The distinctive feature is the black hind femur which is enlarged and has spines on the lower third portion along the ventral edge.
Occurrence
This fly is common in Fontenelle Forest. It has been photographed in late May on Cottonwood Trail and in late July in the planted prairie next to the marsh in Fontenelle Forest.
Comments
Adults are found in fields and grasslands with flowers. The larvae live in and feed on wet decaying organic matter such as manure, compost and silage. This fly was introduced from Europe in the 1800s.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page
is: Loren Padelford.
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