Common Drone Fly
Eristalis tenax
This record describes Eristalis tenax (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
feature, though most specimens have a single pair near to the thorax. It also has a very noticeable dark face stripe and curved rear tibia.
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Eristalis tenax: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eristalis_tenax.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Gardens and hedgerows.
Seasonal Activity
Virtually all year round. The female hibernates in buildings and crevices but will emerge on warm days in late winter, leading to it being seen in virtually every month of the year.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae live in organically rich polluted rivers and drains, the run off from dung, silage heaps, etc.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and very common throughout Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Eristalis tenax. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Drone Fly (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Drone Fly
How big is Common Drone Fly?
13mm to 15mm (0.51" to 0.59")
How do you identify Common Drone Fly?
feature, though most specimens have a single pair near to the thorax. It also has a very noticeable dark face stripe and curved rear tibia.
Where is Common Drone Fly found?
Habitat: Gardens and hedgerows.
When is Common Drone Fly active?
Common Drone Fly: seasonal activity - Virtually all year round. The female hibernates in buildings and crevices but will emerge on warm days in late winter, leading to it being seen in virtually every month of the year..
What is the life cycle of a Common Drone Fly?
Larvae live in organically rich polluted rivers and drains, the run off from dung, silage heaps, etc.