Flower Fly (Hoverfly)
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Genus: Various
Species: Various
General Characteristics: Their size ranges from 4 mm to over 25 mm and their coloration from bright yellow or orange to dull dark black or gray with a few iridescent forms. Flower Flies are abundant on flowers, which are used as mating sites and energy sources. Hoverflies have spots, bands or stripes, of yellow, brown against a dark-coloured background, sometimes with dense hair covering the body surface (emulating furry bumble bees). Their fast flight, motionless flight and, in some species, their size are astonishing feats. Some Hovers are among the biggest flies of Central Europe. Many species are very colorful. It is not always that easy to identify hover flies. Some thick headed flies and bee flies are similar and dark coloration makes it hard to identify them correctly at a glance.
Special Adaptations: Many flower Flies are Batesian mimics of stinging wasps and bees (Hymenoptera).
No comments:
Post a Comment