Black-horned smoothtail flower fly, Epistrophe grossulariae


I always enjoy seeing hoverflies, aka flower flies, during the hot summer months.  There are many species (I wrote about one yesterday exhibiting lekking behaviour) and you will likely see one if you are out amongst the flowers.  Many of them mimic bees or wasps with the intention of giving themselves some protection from predators that would otherwise consume them.  They bear no stinger or form of chemical defence.  

These are remarkably beneficial insects.  Aside from the fact that they are pollinators, the larvae feed on aphids and their kin.  Found near wetlands with deciduous vegetation, the adults are active from mid-July to late August.  Eggs are laid in or near aphid colonies on trees or shrubs a few meters off the ground. The hatching larvae immediately get to work on consuming the pesky little insects.

The black-horned smoothtail flower fly is Holarctic in distribution and can be found in the northern climates of North America, The British Isles, Europe, Russia, and Asia.  Their colourful mimicry is appreciated wherever they are found.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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