Hover Fly

Unidentified Hover Fly

A hover fly belonging to the family Syrphidae photographed on the farm near Thirupporur. Even identification to the generic level has proven to be difficult. As their common name suggests, they are seen hovering near flowers or feeding on nectar and pollen from flower. The fly larvae (maggots) eat a wide variety of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprotrophs, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores and prey on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects. Aphid-feeding hoverflies are being recognized as important natural enemies of pests, and potential agents for use in biological control. Some adult Syrphid flies are important pollinators.

The Syrphid flies are a wide-spread group with more than 6000 described species. They are harmless to most other animals despite their mimicry of many wasps, which serves to ward off predators.