Syrphus torvus
| Syrphus torvus | |
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| male | |
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| Species: | S. torvus
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| Binomial name | |
| Syrphus torvus Osten Sacken, 1875
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Syrphus torvus is a common species of hoverfly found in Europe, Asia and North America. The adults feed on pollen and nectar but the larvae feed on aphids.
Description
Syrphus torvus is a medium-sized hoverfly that somewhat resembles a wasp, with adults measuring 10 to 13 mm (0.4 to 0.5 in). The head is broad and the large brown compound eyes have hairy surfaces, more obvious in males than females. The eyes are nearly touching in males but are more widely separated in females. The face and short antennae are yellow. The thorax is black, the legs yellow and black, and the single pair of wings is translucent with dark veining. The abdomen is oblong and slightly flattened. It is fringed with short yellow hairs and striped in yellow and black, the first yellow stripe being divided by a central black bar.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Syrphus torvus is a common species and is found in the Palearctic ecozone including Europe, Asia and North America. It is often found in woodland or near the verges of woods.[1] Large numbers of hoverflies of this species and of Metasyrphus sp. have been observed on Mount McKinley in the Rocky Mountains at altitudes of 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) at the head of the Kahiltna Glacier.[2]
Behaviour
Syrphus torvus is on the wing from spring to autumn. It is a migratory species. Adults feed on pollen and nectar and are particularly attracted to yellow and white flowers. The larvae feed on aphids and the insect overwinters as larvae.[1][3]
References
- ^ a b c "Hoverflies (Syrphidae)". The Garden Safari. Retrieved 2014-12-03.
- ^ Edwards, J. S. (1987). "Arthropods of Alpine Aeolian Ecosystems". Entomology. 32: 163–179. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.32.010187.001115.
- ^ Stubbs, Alan E.; Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. p. 233, xvpp.