Southeastern Apple Production
ENTOMOLOGY
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Southeastern Apple ProductionENTOMOLOGY |
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Syrphid fly (or 'hover fly') adults are small yellow and black flies less than 1/2 inch long. Many are bee mimics and are often mistakenly called 'sweat bees' for their habit of hovering around a person's face and arms. Larvae are roughly the same length as adults and may be yellow, green, or brown. Eggs are white, faintly ridged, and approximately 1/25 inch long.
 Adult |
 Larva |
 Larva detail |
Some syrphid fly species overwinter as adults, others as larvae. Adults emerge in early summer and lay hundreds of eggs on plants infested with soft-bodied insect prey (often aphids). Eggs hatch and larvae feed for 7 to 10 days before pupating. There are several generations per year.
Adults feed only on pollen, nectar, and aphid honeydew, but larvae are very effective predators of Green apple and spirea aphids. Larvae find prey by 'casting' their front ends from side to side until contacting prey, which they then pierce and deprive of body fluids.
 Larva eating aphids |
Insect and Mite Management Overview
Insect and Mite Index
Southeastern Apple Production
Mountain
Horticultural Crops Research & Extension
Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715
Email: jim_walgenbach@ncsu.edu
Web Crafters: Anne S. Napier and
Steve Schoof
Email:
steve_schoof@ncsu.edu
Updated March 8, 2007