Image Credit: Line Sabroe
Hover-flies (Syrphidae: Eristalini) – aquatic microbivores – This is primarily a tropical group, with only very few species reaching the Northwest. However, our species are very abundant, very widespread and even abundant in backyard habitats. Studies on the pollen load carried by Eristalis species have shown that they are likely to be excellent actual pollinators; these are generalist flower visitors and probably have a widespread significance throughout the entire community. Eristalis tenax is an excellent honeybee mimic, both morphologically and behaviorly; it is said to be native throughout the North Temperate Zone, but only in the Old World would there have been honeybees to mimic. In the tropics I have seen the immature larvae (called rat-tailed maggots) living in the basal leaves of bromeliad flowers and the spathes of Heliconius flowers.
The abundant Eristalis tenax on the left and E. hirtus on the right.