American Hover Fly
Eupeodes americanus
This record describes Eupeodes americanus (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
It can be grossly differentiated from Syrphus rectus by a dark stripe down the front of the face. The egg is ~0.96x0.26 mm, with broken longitudinal ridges. The larva is blackish with orange markings, looks somewhat spiky. The puparia is grayish-orange and appears mottled, much like the larva. First instars are difficult to separate if they were not seen emerging from an egg. ( Short & Bergh 2003 )
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Adults found in forests, fields, plantations, open areas, gardens, and sand dunes
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae: wide variety of aphids, such as woolly apple aphid, rosy apple aphid and spirea aphid Larvae noted to also eat adelgids
Life History
See
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann 1830)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Eupeodes americanus. 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 American Hover Fly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Beatriz Moisset , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About American Hover Fly
What is American Hover Fly?
American Hover Fly (Eupeodes americanus) is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify American Hover Fly?
It can be grossly differentiated from Syrphus rectus by a dark stripe down the front of the face. The egg is ~0.96x0.26 mm, with broken longitudinal ridges. The larva is blackish with orange markings, looks somewhat spiky. The puparia is grayish-orange and appears mottled, much like the larva. First instars are difficult to separate if they were not seen emerging from an egg. ( Short & Bergh 2003 )
Where is American Hover Fly found?
Habitat: Adults found in forests, fields, plantations, open areas, gardens, and sand dunes
What does American Hover Fly eat?
The diet of the American Hover Fly includes Larvae: wide variety of aphids, such as woolly apple aphid, rosy apple aphid and spirea aphid Larvae noted to also eat adelgids.
What is the life cycle of a American Hover Fly?
See