Short-tailed Aphideater
Eupeodes pomus
They are exceptional mimics; by imitating the warning coloration of wasps, they scare off birds and other predators without actually having any venom.
- Scientific name
- Eupeodes pomus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Diptera › Syrphidae › Eupeodes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forest edges, orchards, meadows, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Larvae are voracious predators of aphids; adults feed on nectar and pollen.
- Range
- North America, Europe
- Size
- 7 to 10 mm in length
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 months
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread pesticide use in agriculture and gardens, and loss of native wildflower habitats.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless. These hoverflies do not possess a stinger or biting mouthparts. They may occasionally land on your skin to lick sweat for minerals; if this happens, remain calm and enjoy the close encounter, or gently blow them away.
Eupeodes pomus , the short-tailed aphideater , is a species of syrphid fly observed across North America. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae have been reported feeding from various aphids....
Photo: Healthy Yards, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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