SYRPHUS RIBESII

Syrphus ribesii

FLOWER FLY FAMILY (Syrphidae)

This Syrphid fly wasp mimic is approximately 1/2 inch in length.  It has very large reddish brown eyes and a plain dark brown thorax.  The abdomen is wider in the midsection and narrows at the end.  It is black with yellow bands, the one on the first segment being incomplete and open in the middle.  The wings are clear.  This fly belongs to the tribe Syrphini which includes many similar looking black and yellow hover flies and many of them can only be separated into a genus and/or species by using a microscope.

These colorful syrphid flies are common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods and can be seen nectaring at flowers such as goldenrod in summer and fall.  This species is widespread throughout North America,  Central America, Europe and Asia.

The larvae are predators of aphids.  The larvae are leechlike maggots which are blind and legless.  They are inactive during the day and feed on aphids at night.  The adults feed on nectar, pollen and the honeydew secreted by aphids.  They deposit eggs among aphids while hovering over the colony.