Northern Plushback
Palpada vinetorum
The aquatic larva possesses an elongated, telescoping breathing tube resembling a rat's tail that allows it to breathe atmospheric air while submerged in low-oxygen water.
- Scientific name
- Palpada vinetorum
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Diptera › Syrphidae › Palpada
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Stagnant pools, ditches, swamps, and adjacent flower-rich meadows and gardens
- Diet
- Adults feed on nectar and pollen; larvae feed on bacteria and decaying organic matter in stagnant water
- Range
- North America, Central America, South America, Caribbean
- Size
- 10–14 mm body length
- Lifespan
- 2–4 weeks
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Pesticide application and drainage or chemical pollution of stagnant aquatic breeding sites
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Northern plushbacks are true flies and cannot sting or bite, despite closely resembling honey bees. They can be safely observed at close range. If one lands on skin, it is likely seeking moisture or salts and can be gently brushed away.
Palpada vinetorum is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae.
Photo: Bugs Are Friends, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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