FOUR-SPOTTED APHID FLY

Dioprosopa clavata

FLOWER FLY FAMILY (Syrphidae)

A small dark brown to black fly, approximately 1/2 inch in length.  Both the male and female have an elongated abdomen.  The female abdomen is thickened and pointed at the end.  The wings are clear with dark brown leading edge.  The legs are dark brown and yellow.  There are 4 white spots, two on each side of the abdomen, giving the insect part of its name.  The other part of the name comes from the larval food preference, aphids.  The larva is a small, green slug-like creature approximately 1/4 inch long.

This fly is widespread from coast to coast in North, Central and South America.  It is more common in its southern range.  This fly may be common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods,  It has been seen and photographed twice, once in late August in Child's Hollow and once in late October in Mormon Hollow.

The Four-spotted Aphid Fly is the only species in the genus Dioprosopa in North America.  This fly takes nectar from flowers and lays its eggs singly on vegetation near aphid colonies.  This strategy gives the hatching larva an opportunity to find food immediately and begin feeding on aphids.  This fly is an important biological agent controlling Brown Citrus Aphid in citrus growing areas of the US and Puerto Rico.