- 165 aquatic or semi-aquatic species in North America
- Many more terrestrial species
- Also known as Flower Flies
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Diptera |
Family: | Syrphidae |
Identification Tips:
• Body length 4-16 mm without breathing tube; up to to 70 mm with it
• Body cylindrical and thick with rounded front
• Head not visible; encased in body
• Variable number of pair of short prolegs on body
• Long telescopic breathing tube extends from rear of abdomen; may be several times body length when fully extended
Life History:
Larvae
• Found in calm shallow water at margins of ponds, wetlands, and stream pools
• Usually found burrowing in decaying organic matter
• Can live in water with no oxygen; breathe air via a tube extending to the surface
Adults
• Usually found in or around flowers
• Often hover motionless in air
POLLUTION TOLERANCE | ||||
Very Sensitive | Somewhat Sensitive | Facultative | Somewhat Tolerant | Very Tolerant |
Most |
Pollution Indicator | High abundance indicates severe organic pollution |
––––––
Primary Information Source:
Voshell, J. Reese. 2002. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company. Blacksburg, Virginia.