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Hover flies

Hover flies

Neoascia podagrica

A species of Neoascia

External images For terms see Morphology of Diptera Metapleurae form a continuous band behind coxae 3. Antennomere 3 twice as long as broad and wing veins tm and tp brownish. Male tergite with straight yellow band. The larva is figured by Hartley (1961) The male genitalia are illustrated by Barkemeyer and Claussen (1986). See references for determination.

General Info About Hover flies
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Attributes of Hover flies
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Habitat
Habitat: wetlands and alluvial forest, pond margins and fen, wet pasture, along wet ditches, around farmyards, canal banks, suburban gardens, rubbish dumps and parks. Flowers visited include white umbellifers, Achillea millefolium, Allium ursinum, Caltha, Chelidonium, Convolvulus, Crataegus, Euphorbia, Leontodon, Menyanthes, Plantago,Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus, Salix repens, Senecio jacobaea, Taraxacum. The flight period is April to October. The larvae are sub-aquatic, occurring in cow-dung, slurry and dung-enriched mud.
Adult Food Sources
Nectar, pollen, honeydew, plant juices
Larva Food Source
Aphids
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Hover flies is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
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Distribution Area of Hover flies
Palearctic Fennoscandia South to Iberia Mediterranean basin East through North Europe, Central Europe and South Europe (Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Greece) to Turkey and Israel, European Russia into Siberia as far as Lake Baikal.
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Life Cycle of Hover flies
Egg The egg of hover flies is usually deposited in a protected location. It is generally oval and may exhibit varying colors depending on the species. At this stage, the insect is a small, immobile embryo developing within the protective casing.
Larva The larva of hover flies emerges from the egg, bearing a worm-like appearance with no wings and a soft body. It feeds voraciously, often undergoing several molts, which leads to significant growth during this stage.
Pupal During the pupa stage, hover flies undergoes metamorphosis within a puparium. The body is immobile and encased as it reorganizes into the adult form. Size and color can vary as the creature transforms.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult hover flies'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 Hover flies
Adult hover flies leverage surface tension to walk on water much like tiny pond skaters.
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Scientific Classification of Hover flies
Class
Bugs
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Order
Flies
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Tips for Finding Hover flies
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Youth Habitat of Hover flies
Rotting and Decaying Matter, Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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Adult Habitat of Hover flies
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Freshwater Habitats
Are Hover flies harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Hover flies
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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
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Hover flies is a beneficial insect that mimics the appearance of a bee to avoid predators. It is attracted to flowers by their vivid colors and sweet scents. While feeding on pollen, hover flies inadvertently collects pollen on its body and transfers it to other flowers, aiding in plant pollination.
Predators of Pests
Stage
Larvae
Purpose
Feed Itself
Hover flies larvae are voracious feeders known for their beneficial role in agricultural and garden settings. They primarily consume aphids, making them an important biological control agent. A fascinating aspect of their predation is their ability to blend into their environment to ambush their prey, contributing to their effectiveness as a natural pest control.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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