A syrphid is
having a rest under the nice sun of this beginning of April.
Hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies, or syrphid flies, make up
the insect family Syrphidae. They
are harmless to most other animals, despite their mimicry of more dangerous wasps
and bees, which wards off predators. Here it
is probably a Chrysotoxum cautum.
Main differences when compared to wasps: smaller antenna, no wasp waist, no sting, smaller and thinner.
Hoverflies are common throughout the world and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen. Some adult syrphid flies are important pollinators.
Main differences when compared to wasps: smaller antenna, no wasp waist, no sting, smaller and thinner.
Hoverflies are common throughout the world and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen. Some adult syrphid flies are important pollinators.
Aphids alone cause tens of
millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year; because of this, aphid-eating
hoverflies are being recognized as important natural enemies of pests, and
potential agents for use in biological control.
They can move their wings very quickly (300 times per
second), which allows them to stay in the same place and even go back, very
useful movements when nectaring at flowers. Wasps cannot do that. Look at this Episyrphus
balteatus:
They are easy to see from spring to autumn and not
afraid when you approach to look at them.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire