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Woolly-tailed marsh fly

Woolly-tailed marsh fly

Helophilus hybridus

A species of Helophilus

For terms see Morphology of Diptera Wing length 8·5-11·25 mm. Femorae 3 top 1/4 or less yellow. Tibiae 3 pale on basal 1/4 or less. Males tergite 2 large yellow spotsreach the hind margin over their full width. The larva is illustrated by Hartley (1961). See references for determination

General Info About Woolly-tailed marsh fly
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Attributes of Woolly-tailed marsh fly
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Habitat
Habitat: wetlands non-eutrophic pools in fen, poor fen, deciduous woodland and dune slacks, cutover valley bog, fen carr, taiga. Flowers visited include white umbellifers, Calluna vulgaris, Cirsium, Convolvulus, Crataegus, Echium, Euphorbia, Limonium, Lycopus, Mentha aquatica, Menyanthes, Narthecium, Parnassia palustris, Plantago, Pulicaria, Rosa, Rubus, Salix repens, Salix, Senecio, Sorbus, Succisa, Taraxacum, Valeriana. The flight period is early May to early September.
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, pollen from various flowering plants
Larva Food Source
Aphids, small insects, and other soft-bodied pests
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Woolly-tailed marsh fly is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Predatory
The Woolly-tailed marsh fly typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Sponging mouthparts
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Distribution Area of Woolly-tailed marsh fly
Palearctic Fennoscandia South to North France. Ireland East through North Europe and Central Europe (including the Alps) East into Russia and on through the Russian Far East and Siberia to the Pacific coast. Mongolia. Nearctic from Alaska to Nova Scotia and South to Utah.
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Life Cycle of Woolly-tailed marsh fly
Egg The egg serves as the start for the woolly-tailed marsh fly, typically oval and minute. Laid singly or in groups, these eggs provide a protective case for the developing embryo, which undergoes significant changes before hatching.
Larva Upon hatching, the larval woolly-tailed marsh fly appears worm-like with a soft body, lacking true legs. Consuming vigorously, it focuses on growth, molting several times to accommodate its increasing size and gradually changing in shape and sometimes color.
Pupal The woolly-tailed marsh fly enters the pupal stage to undergo its most dramatic transformation. Encased in a puparium, it reorganizes internally, developing new structures. The change in color and form becomes apparent as it progresses towards the final adult morphology.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult woolly-tailed marsh fly's development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Interesting Facts About Woolly-tailed marsh fly
The larvae of woolly-tailed marsh fly can breathe underwater using a snorkel-like tube, allowing them to live in saturated substrates.
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Scientific Classification of Woolly-tailed marsh fly
Class
Bugs
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Order
Flies
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Tips for Finding Woolly-tailed marsh fly
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How Can You Attract Woolly-tailed marsh fly
The adults of woolly-tailed marsh fly are attracted to a variety of flowers, particularly those that are yellow or have a complex structure, as they feed on nectar. A trap for woolly-tailed marsh fly can be baited with sweet substances or artificial nectar to mimic the food source.
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Habitat Preferences of Woolly-tailed marsh fly Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of woolly-tailed marsh fly are typically laid on wet organic materials near water sources like ponds or streams. Larvae prefer aquatic or semi-aquatic environments rich in decaying organic matter, such as stagnant water bodies with abundant vegetation. Searching for them might involve examining the surface of mud, under debris, or along the water's edge. Pupae of woolly-tailed marsh fly are often found in drier areas, possibly nearby the larval habitats, embedded in soil or under leaves. To locate pupae, one might have to carefully inspect the surrounding land of larval sites. Adults of woolly-tailed marsh fly are commonly seen hovering over flowers in gardens, meadows, and near water bodies, where they feed on nectar and can be spotted during a calm, sunny day by patiently waiting near flowering plants.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Woolly-tailed marsh fly
The best time to find woolly-tailed marsh fly is during warm, sunny days when temperatures are favorable for their flight activities, typically from late spring through summer.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Woolly-tailed marsh fly
Dry, warm conditions with little to no wind are ideal when searching for woolly-tailed marsh fly, as these creatures tend to be less active during cold, rainy, or windy weather.
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How and Where Can You Find Woolly-tailed marsh fly at Different Life Stages
Larva Woolly-tailed marsh fly larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic and can often be found in stagnant or slow-moving water sources like ponds or ditches with rich organic matter. Search by gently sifting through water vegetation or decaying organic debris.
Pupal Woolly-tailed marsh fly pupae may be located near the larval habitat, often attached to submerged objects or vegetation just above the water line. Inspect the edges of ponds and other water bodies, especially on plants or stones near the surface.
Adult Woolly-tailed marsh fly adults are frequently observed hovering or feeding at flowers in gardens, meadows, and grasslands. To find them, visit flowering plants, especially during sunny periods of the day when they are most active in their search for nectar.
Are Woolly-tailed marsh fly harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Woolly-tailed marsh fly
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Pollinator
Predators of Pests
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Smell
Woolly-tailed marsh fly is a beneficial pollinator that visits various flowers, drawn by their vivid colors and enticing smells. While feeding on nectar and pollen, woolly-tailed marsh fly inadvertently collects pollen on its body, which is then transferred to other flowers, aiding in plant reproduction. This incidental contact ensures the cross-pollination of many plants.
Predators of Pests
Stage
Larvae
Diets
Aphids
The larva of woolly-tailed marsh fly is a voracious predator, primarily consuming aphids to sustain its growth. The adults, on the other hand, mainly feed on nectar and pollen. This insect uses aphid honeydew for nourishment and can be found foraging in gardens and agricultural lands, providing a natural control against these plant-sucking pests.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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