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Four-lined hornet fly

Four-lined hornet fly

Spilomyia sayi

A species of Spilomyia

Spilomyia sayi is a common species of North American hoverfly. It is a wasp mimic. Adults are 12–16 millimetres (0.47–0.63 in) long and are seen from June to October in the northern part of their range. Males engage in hilltopping, where they find high ground to await females. Larvae are found in decaying heartwood of deciduous trees.

General Info About Four-lined hornet fly
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Attributes of Four-lined hornet fly
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from goldenrods, nectar from milkweeds, nectar from joe-pye weeds, nectar from purple coneflowers, nectar from various flowering plants
Larva Food Source
Aphids, scale insects, thrips, caterpillars, other soft-bodied insects
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Four-lined hornet fly is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Four-lined hornet fly feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
The Four-lined hornet fly typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
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Species Status of Four-lined hornet fly
Common
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Distribution Area of Four-lined hornet fly
Canada, United States
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Life Cycle of Four-lined hornet fly
Egg At the egg stage, the four-lined hornet fly starts as a small, often oval-shaped form. Colors can vary, but they typically blend with the environment to avoid predation.
Larva In the larval stage, the four-lined hornet fly has a worm-like appearance, focused on consuming food to grow. It lacks wings and shows limited resemblance to the adult form.
Pupal During the pupal stage, the four-lined hornet fly is encased in a pupa, undergoing significant transformation. This immobile stage is when the tissue reorganization takes place internally.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult four-lined hornet 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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Predators of Four-lined hornet fly Larvae
Frogs, toads, birds, jumping spiders, mantises, geckos
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Predators of Adult Four-lined hornet fly
Birds, dragonflies, praying mantises, spiders
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Scientific Classification of Four-lined hornet fly
Class
Bugs
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Order
Flies
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Tips for Finding Four-lined hornet fly
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Youth Habitat of Four-lined hornet fly
Rotting and Decaying Matter, Forests and Woodlands
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Adult Habitat of Four-lined hornet fly
Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Suburban Areas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Grasslands and Prairies
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How Can You Attract Four-lined hornet fly
For adults, sweet substances such as fruits or artificial nectar can be used as traps, while larvae might be attracted to decaying plants or aphids, depending on their particular diet.
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Habitat Preferences of Four-lined hornet fly Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of four-lined hornet fly are typically found in the decaying wood of hardwood trees, feeding on the rotting material and other insects within. Adults are commonly seen in open, sunny areas such as meadows, gardens, and forests, where they can be spotted hovering near flowers, feeding on nectar and pollen. When looking for the larvae, one should inspect the decomposing logs and beneath the bark of decaying trees. To find adults, visit flowering plants on sunny days, especially those with abundant blooms, as these are the preferred feeding and mating sites for four-lined hornet fly.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Four-lined hornet fly
The suitable time to find four-lined hornet fly is during daylight hours, particularly on sunny days when adults are most active for foraging and pollination.
Are Four-lined hornet fly harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Four-lined hornet 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
Four-lined hornet fly is an efficient pollinator, often seen hovering around flowers, attracted by their vivid colors and sweet scents. It feeds on pollen, inadvertently collecting and transferring it from bloom to bloom, aiding in plant reproduction. This syrphid fly mimics the appearance of a wasp, which can deter predators.
Predators of Pests
Stage
Larvae
Purpose
Feed Itself
Four-lined hornet fly larvae are effective predators, particularly favoring aphids as their primary prey. During their larval stage, they have a prodigious appetite, which helps control aphid populations in gardens and crops. These larvae move about methodically and silently among the plant foliage to consume hundreds of aphids during their development.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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