European Drone Fly
Eristalis arbustorum
This record describes Eristalis arbustorum (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
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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 arbustorum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eristalis_arbustorum.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Widely found in gardens, urban wasteland and other open habitats.
Seasonal Activity
It can be seen from April to November with peaks in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
As with other drone-flies, it can breed in polluted water, such as temporary pools with cow droppings.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is a common and widespread British species.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Eristalis arbustorum. 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 European Drone Fly (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About European Drone Fly
How big is European Drone Fly?
10mm to 11mm (0.39" to 0.43")
Where is European Drone Fly found?
Habitat: Widely found in gardens, urban wasteland and other open habitats.
When is European Drone Fly active?
European Drone Fly: seasonal activity - It can be seen from April to November with peaks in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a European Drone Fly?
As with other drone-flies, it can breed in polluted water, such as temporary pools with cow droppings.