Syrphidae of New York State


Total of 245 species either found or highly expected to be found in New York.

Subfamily ERISTALINAE">Eristalinae">ERISTALINAE

Tribe [Brachyopini]

;This tribe contains 8 genera and 31 or likely more species found in New York State
Genusauthoritycommon name# in N.Y.Defining characteristics
BrachyopaMeigen, 1822Sapeater Fly8Face and scutellum tan to orange or yellow. Last section
of R4+5 vein shorter than crossvein h.
ChrysogasterMeigen, 1803Wrinkleheaded Fly1Last section of R4+5 longer than crossvein r-m. Face entirely black. Antennae on lower part of head.
ChrysosyrphusSedman, 1965Wrinkleheaded Fly1like Chrysogaster but antennae on upper part of head.
HammerschmidtiaSchummel, 1834Logsitter Fly2postalar callus, and scutellum with strong bristles. Hind tibia with short strong black spines.
MyoleptaNewman, 1838Pegleg Fly3Front and middle femora with short strong spines near the apex.
NeoasciaWilliston, 1886Fen Fly3Small flies with petiolate abdomen, M1 forming a right angle with R4+5.
OrthonevraMacquart, 1829Mucksucker Fly4flagellum at least twice as long as wide. Eyes with horizontal or meandering lines.
SpheginaMeigen, 1822Pufftail Fly9Abdomen petiolate. Swollen hind femur with ventral spines.

Genus ''[Chrysogaster]''

Genus ''[Chrysosyrphus]''

Chrysosyrphus latus The Variable Wrinklehead is a rare species

Genus ''[Hammerschmidtia]''

Hammerschmidtia is a Holarctic Genus of hoverflies. The larvae are found in sap under the bark of downed trees.
They appear quite unlike other syrphids, having drab colors and numerous bristles but on closer inspection they do have the general indicators of syrphids in a spurious vein.Hammerschmidtia rufa, The Black-bristled Logsitter is an uncommon species.Hammerschmidtia sedmani Pale-bristled Logsitter is a rare species in N.Y.

Genus ''[Myolepta]''

Three species of Myolepta occur in New York. Keys and descriptions of this species was made by Fluke and Weems in 1956. Larvae are described by Rotheray Myolepta strigilataM. nigra

Genus ''[Neoascia]''

Neoascia Fen Flies
These are very small black and yellow or metallic green flies with a narrow abdomen near the thorax. They occur mainly in damp places around plants.. Neoascia larvae have been recovered from wet manure in farmyards, and decaying vegetation at the edges of ponds. In 1925 Curran reviewed the Genus NeoasciaNeoascia metallica The Double-banded Fen Fly, is a common species.Neoascia tenur The Black-kneed Fen Fly is a common species that was formerly considered to be only European now considered to be throughout North America and Canada.Neoascia globosa The Black-margined Fen Fly is a fairly common species.

Genus ''[Orthonevra]''

Four species Orthonevra of these small dark metallic flies are found in New York. Sedman divided this genus into two groups, the pictipennis group of which N.Y. has O. pictipennis, O. Weemsi and O. pulchella and the Bellula group with O. nitida being found in N.Y. This genus is one of the few where the eyes are ornamented with either horizontal medial lines or meandering lines across the eye. Keys and descriptions have been provided by Sedman.Orthonevra nitida The Wavy mucksucker is a fairly common species.Orthonevra pictipennis Dusky-veined Mucksucker is an uncommon species.Orthonevra pulchella The Dusky Mucksucker is a fairly common species.Orthonevra weemsi Weems' Mucksucker is a rare species.

Genus ''[Sphegina]''

These are distinctive small flies with a thin elongate abdomen and enlarged hind femur often with spines and or teeth. The larvae are found under bark in water soaked areas. Rotheray has described European species and habitats as well as a key to larvae including sphegina and other syrphid genera. Keys to adult American species was provided by Coovert. New York species can also be found southward especially in the Appalachian Mountains and also north to the New England States.
There are various keys online, Covert 1977 Hull, 1935 and Malloch, 1922
:
Sphegina brachygasterHull, 1935Thick-waisted Pufftailfairly common
Sphegina campanulataRobertson, 1901Orange-horned Pufftailfairly common
Sphegina flavimanaJohn Russell Malloch, 1922Tuberculate Pufftailfairly common
Sphegina flavomaculataJohn Russell Malloch, 1922Tooth-legged Pufftailuncommon
Sphegina keenianaWilliston, 1887Peg-legged pufftailfairly common
Sphegina lobataLoew, 1863Yellow-lobed Pufftailuncommon
Sphegina lobuliferaJohn Russell Malloch, 1922Black-lobed Pufftailuncommon
Sphegina petiolataCoquillett, 1910Long-spined Pufftailuncommon
Sphegina rufiventrisLoew, 1910Black-horned pufftailcommon

Tribe [Callicerini]

Genus [Callicera]

Only one species of this tribe is found in New york in the genus Callicera.Callicera erratica The Golden Pine Fly is a rare species.

Tribe [Cerioidini]

Genus ''[Ceriana]''

Ceriana has but one species in New York.Ceriana abbreviata '''The Northern Wasp Fly'''

Genus ''[Sphiximorpha]''

Sphiximorpha is represented by a single rare species in New York.Sphiximorpha willistoni Williston's Wasp Fly is a rare species.

Tribe [Eristalini]

Subtribe [Eristalina]

Genus ''[Eristalinus]''
Eristalinus aeneus The Common Lagoon Fly is fairly common.
Genus ''[Eristalis]''
New York has an prevalence of Eristalids many of which are striking in color and exhibit mimicry to the bees. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type. Eristalis along with many sister species has the r4+5 vein making a distinct loop towards the rear of the wing.
;Species list
Genus ''[Palpada]''
Palpada albifrons The White-faced Plushback is a rare vagrantPalpada vinetorum The Northern Plushback is a fairly common species

Subtribe [Helophilina]

GenusThoraxAbdomenHind tibiaOther
NotesThis table is confined to New York species.-
Helophilus, keyLongitudinal stripesAbdomen oval, with large orange markingsvariableStigma long
Anasimia, key Longitudinal stripesnarrowvariable
Polydontomyia, single speciesnot stripedslightly narrowed, black with solid yellow-orange behind, all brownish gray in femalearcuate and produced into a long apical spur
Mallota, keynot striped, Thick pilecompact and thick pilewithout long apical spurbumblebee mimic
Parhelophilus, Keylongitudinal stripescompacttruncate at apex.stigma short
Eurimyia, single specieslongitudinal stripessawtooth yellow spotswithout long apical spur, two black ringsface produced into an elongate cone
Genus ''Eurimyia''
Eurimyia stipata the Long-nosed Swamp Fly.
Genus ''[Helophilus]''
Genus ''[Anasimyia]''
Genus ''[Polydontomyia]''
Polydontomyia curvipes The Dimorphic Sickleleg is locally common along salt marshes.
Genus ''[Mallota]''
Large flies that strongly resemble bumblebees.
The larvae of, M. cimhiciformis and
M. posticata develop in detritus-containing rot pockets, usually
wet tree holes in upright deciduous trees.Mallota cimbiciformis, Mallota bautias Walker 1849 The Bare-eyed Mimic is a common speciesMallota posticata, Fabricius 1805, The Hairy-eyed Mimic is a common species.
Genus ''[Parhelophilus]''

Tribe [Sericomyiini]

This tribe has only one genus

Genus ''[Sericomyia]''

Sericomyia chrysotoxoides The Oblique-banded Pond Fly is a common species.

Tribe [Eumerini]

Genus ''[Eumerus]''

Eumerus funeralis Lesser Bulb Fly is a fairly common species.Eumerus strigatus Onion Bulb Fly is a fairly common species.

Genus ''[Merodon]''

Merodon equestris The Narcissus Bulb Fly is a fairly common species.

Tribe [Milesiini]

This tribe contains 17 genera with 56 species found in New York
nameauthoritycommon name# in N.Y.Defining characteristics
BleraBillberg, 1820Wood Fly7distinct frontal prominence, face downward and forward
BrachypalpusMacquart, 1834Catkin Fly1triangular face, thorax with thick yellow pile
ChalcosyrphusCurran, 1925Leafwalker10slender abdomen, enlarged hind femur, often orange legs.
CriorhinaMeigen, 1822Bumblefly2large bumblebee mimics.
CynorhinellaCurran, 1922Longnose Fly1small thin black fly with large conical face.
HadromyiaWilliston, 1882Quicksilver Fly1black fly metallic patches on abdomen
LejotaWahlberg, 1843Trunksitter Fly2all black fly with distinct frontal prominence and straight face.
MilesiaLatreille, 1804Giant Flower Flies1large yellow and black yellowjacket mimic
PterallastesLoew, 1863Goldenback Fly1large fly with bright golden thorax..
SomulaMacquart, 1847Wood Fly1large fly with distinct antennifer and bright yellow abdominal spots.
SphecomyiaLatreille, 1829Yellowjacket Fly1long antennae black and yellow striped abdomen.
SpilomyiaMeigen, 1803Hornet Fly4vertical eye stripe, yellow and black thorax and abdomen.
SyrittaLinnaeus, 1758Compost Fly1inflated hind femur with orange spots, abdomen with rounded spots
TemnostomaLe Peletier & ServilleFalsehorn Fly7yellow stripe along transverse suture, abdomen with one or two stripes on each segment.
TeuchocnemisOsten Sacken, 1876Spur Fly2males with large spur on hind tibia
TropidiaMeigen, 1822Thickleg Fly3hind femur enlarged with triangular shaped process ventrally
XylotaMeigen, 1822Leafwalker11slender abdomen, enlarged hind femur, abdomen black or with yellow spots.

Genus ''[Brachypalpus]''

Brachypalpus oarus The Eastern Catkin Fly is a fairly common species.
[file:Brachypalpus oarus 2.jpg|thumb|Brachypalpus oarus]

Genus ''[Criorhina]''

Criorhina verbosa The Hairy-cheeked Bumble Fly is an uncommon species.Criorhina nigriventris The Bare-cheeked Bumble Fly is an uncommon species.

Genus ''[Cynorhinella]''

Cynorhinella is a rare genus in New York with a single species.Cynorhinella longinasus The Eastern Longnose Fly is a rare species.

Genus ''[Hadromyia]''

Hadromyia a single species in New York Hadromyia aepalius Sterling Quicksilver Fly is a rare species.

Genus ''[Lejota]''

Lejota has two uncommon species in New York.Lejota aerea The Golden Trunksitter is an uncommon speciesLejota cyanea The Cobalt Trunksitter is an uncommon species.

Genus ''Milesia">Milesia (fly)">Milesia''

Milesia represented by a single, vivid species.Milesia virginiensis The Virginia Giant is an uncommon species.

Genus ''[Pterallastes]''

Pterallastes Pterallastes thoracicus The Goldenback Fly is an uncommon species.

Genus ''[Somula]''

Somula has only two species worldwide, with one in New York.Somula decora The Spotted Wood Fly is an uncommon species.

Genus ''[Sphecomyia]''

Sphecomyia Latreille, 1829 is a genus of wasp mimics with one species found in New York.Sphecomyia vittata The Long-horned Yellowjacket is an uncommon species.

Genus ''[Spilomyia]''

Many species in Spilomyia are wasp mimics with black and yellow patterns and using the black front legs to imitate the wasp antennae.
The eyes on Spilomyia species are a distinctive characteristic which usually display vertical, and irregular stripes or blotches.Spilomyia alcimus Broad-banded Hornet Fly is an uncommon species.Spilomyia fusca Bald-faced Hornet Fly is a fairly common species.Spilomyia longicornis Eastern Hornet Fly is an uncommon speciesSpilomyia sayi Four-lined Hornet Fly is a fairly common species.

Genus ''[Syritta]''

Syritta pipiens The Common Compost Fly is a very common species.

Genus ''[Teuchocnemis]''

Teuchocnemis species are more commonly found south of New York.Teuchocnemis bacuntius The Orange Spur Fly is a rare species.Teuchocnemis lituratus The Black Spur Fly is an uncommon species.

Genus ''Tropidia">Tropidia (fly)">Tropidia''

Tropidia albistylum The Yellow-thighed Thickleg Fly is a rare speciesTropidia calcarata The Lily-loving Thickleg Fly is a rare species.Tropidia quadrata The Common Thickleg Fly is a common species.

Tribe [Rhingiini]

This tribe contains 5 genera and 8 species found in New York State
Genusauthoritycommon name# in N.Y.Defining characteristics
CheilosiaMeigen, 1822striped scutum, bristles on scutum and scutellum
HiatomyiaShannon, 1922Deltawing1small black flies with bare eyes and plumose arista
Pelecocera(Meigen, 1822Bighorn Fly1Small flies with an elongate abdomen, flagellum terminal style with an enlarged base
RhingiaScopoli, 1763Snout Fly1very long, forward directed snout and a black with large yellow spotted abdomen.
* additional species of cheilosia are likely to be found in New York.

Genus ''[[Cheilosia">Ferdinandea buccata">striped scutum, bristles on scutum and scutellumHiatomyiaShannon, 1922Deltawing1small black flies with bare eyes and plumose aristaPelecocera(Meigen, 1822Bighorn Fly1Small flies with an elongate abdomen, flagellum terminal style with an enlarged baseRhingiaScopoli, 1763Snout Fly1very long, forward directed snout and a black with large yellow spotted abdomen.* additional species of cheilosia are likely to be found in New York.

Genus ''[[Cheilosia]''

This is a very large genus of little black flies with larvae feeding on plants or fungi.Cheilosia latrans Cheilosia orilliaensis Cheilosia pallipes Cheilosia prima Cheilosia albitarsisCheilosia caltha Cheilosia capillata Cheilosia rita

Genus ''Ferdinandea">Ferdinandea (fly)">Ferdinandea''

Ferdinandea has a single species in New York with a second species, Ferdinandea croesus, reported but the identity is not confirmed.Ferdinandea buccata The Common Copperback a fairly common species.

Genus ''[Hiatomyia]''

Hiatomyia cyanescens no page The Azure Deltawing an uncommon species.

Genus ''[Pelecocera]''

Pelecocera only reported from Long Island but may be more common as the small size and habit of staying in low lying flowers may make this fly under-reported.Pelecocera pergandei. The Eastern Bighorn Fly is a very rare species.

Genus [Rhingia]

Rhingia has only one species in North America.Rhingia nasica The American Snout Fly is a common species.

Tribe [Volucellini]

Genus ''[Copestylum]''

Copestylum due to the larval habit of living in Bromeliads only one species is found in New York.Copestylum vittatum Tropical Plushback The Striped Bromeliad Fly is an uncommon species.

Genus ''[Volucella]''

Volucella has two species that represent some of the best bumblebee mimics in New York.
The larvae of most species live in nests of bumblebees and social wasps, where they are detritivores and larval predators.Volucella evecta The Eastern Swiftwing is an uncommon species.Volucella facialis The Yellow-faced Swiftwing is a fairly common species.

Subfamily PIPIZINAE">Pipizinae">PIPIZINAE

This is the newest subfamily and the smallest in New York. The adult fly looks very much like the flies in Eristalinae while the larvae are predators much like the subfamily Syrphinae. The DNA evidence has been evaluated and concluded that Pipizinae are a sister subfamily to these subfamilies.

Genus ''[Heringia]''

Genus ''[Pipiza]''

Pipiza is a genus of small nearly all black flies sometimes with yellow abdominal spots. The larvae, when known, feed upon gall making or leaf rolling aphids. Pipizini. The larvae of Pipiza species seem to prefer aphids which secrete a waxy flocculence, e.g. woolly aphid. Pipizella larvae confine their attention to subterranean aphids feeding on the roots of plants.Pipiza femoralis The White-haired Pithead FlyPipiza macrofemoralis The Large-legged Pithead Fly is an uncommon species in New YorkPipiza nigripilosa The Pale-haired Pithead Fly is a common species.Pipiza puella The Sumac Gall Pithead Fly is a common species.Pipiza quadrimaculata The Four-spotted Pithead Fly is a fairly common species.

Genus ''[Trichopsomyia]''

Trichopsomyia is another genus of small black flies that may easily be overlooked.
Pipizella larvae confine their attention to subterranean aphids feeding on the roots of plants.Trichopsomyia apisaon The Black-haired Psyllid-killerTrichopsomyia recedens '''The Shadowy Psyllid-killer'''

Subfamily MICRODONTINAE">Microdontinae">MICRODONTINAE

Genus ''[Microdon]''

The nine New York species is a fraction of the 126 worldwide species. The Microdon larvae live in the nests of ants as scavengers or predators and unlike other syrphid larvae, have no apparent body segmentation.Microdon abstrusus,Thompson, 1981 Hidden Ant Fly Microdon abditus Thompson, 1981 Broad-footed Ant FlyMicrodon cothurnatus Bigot, 1884 Orange-legged Ant FlyMicrodon globosus Fabricius, 1805 Globular Ant FlyMicrodon manitobensis Curran, 1924 Greater Ant Fly Microdon megalogaster Snow, 1892 Black-bodied Ant FlyMicrodon ocellaris Curran, 1924, Hairy-legged Ant Fly.Microdon ruficrus Williston, 1887 Spiny-shield Ant Fly Microdon tristis Loew, 1864 Long-horned Ant Fly|

Genus ''[Mixogaster]''

Mixogaster breviventris The Slender Ant Fly is a rare species.

Subfamily SYRPHINAE">Syrphinae">SYRPHINAE

The larvae of Syrphinae are predators of aphids and other plant feeding insects. The role in controlling populations if these occasionally destructive "plant lice' is of interest to science as a possible bological control agents. The adult flies are small to medium sized, many with black and yellow patterning. Many species have elongate bodies. The four tribes of the Syrphidae are well represented in New York with the Syrphini being the most divers and numerous of the tribes while Toxomerini contains the most numerous and widespread species Toxomerus marginatus found across new york for much of the summer.

Tribe [Bacchini]

Genus ''[Baccha]''

Baccha has only one species in New York that is easily overlooked because of its small size.Baccha elongata The Common Dainty Fly a common species.

Genus ''[Melanostoma]''

Melanostoma mellinum The Variable Duskyface is an abundant species.

Genus ''[Platycheirus]''

[file:Platycheirus hyperboreus 3.png|thumb|Platycheirus hyperboreus female]
A very large genus, perhaps 220 species worldwide and 23 species possibly in New york. In New York state Platycheirus is divided into seven morphological groups based on the shape and ornamentation of the front tarsi and tibia and other characteristics. press "show" below to see table. Species can be difficult to identify, especially females. A key, description, maps, photographs has been published and contains keys to both male and female of the species where possible,
  • Species:

Tribe [Chrysotoxini]

Genus ''[Chrysotoxum]''

Chrysotoxum Chrysotoxum flavifrons, Macquart, 1842 The Blackshield Meadow FlyChrysotoxum laterale, Loew, 1864 Chrysotoxum pubescens, Loew, 1864 The Yellow-throated Meadow FlyChrysotoxum plumeum, Loew 1864, The Broad-banded Meadow Fly

Tribe [Paragini]

Genus ''[Paragus]''

Paragus angustifrons Narrow-faced Grass SkimmerParagus tibialis Paragus haemorrhous Black-backed Grass SkimmerParagus angustistylus '''Thin-spined Grass Skimmer'''

Tribe [Syrphini]

Syrphini this tribe contains 15 genera and at least 38 species, though more are likely*, found in New York
Genusauthoritycommon name# in N.Y.Defining characteristics
AllograptaOsten Sacken, 1875streaktail1small flies, thorax sides with yellow stripe, last abdominal segments lateral bands and parallel stripes.
DasysyrphusEnderlein, 1938Conifer Fly4eyes pilose, abdominal margin grooved, abdomen variable yellow markings.
DideaMacquart, 1834Lucent1sinuous r4+5 vein, distinct yellow spots
DorosMeigen, 1803Potterfly1shiny black and yellow, wasp mimics.
EpistropheWalkerSmoothtail3straight R4+5 vein lateral yellow spots on seg. 2, yellow bands on seg. 3&4
EpistrophellaDušek & Láska, 1967Smoothtail1article needed.
EupeodesOsten Sacken, 1877Aphideater5*R4+5 straight, abdomen marginate
LapposyrphusDušek & Láska, 1967Aphideater1vein R 4+5 distinctly dipped, yellow abdminal spots variable
LeucozonaSchiner, 1860none1thickly pilose, white anterior abdomen
MegasyrphusDusek & Láska, 1967Gossamer Fly1vein R4+5 sinuous, distinct abdominal bands
MelangynaVerrall, 1901Halfband3working on it
MeligrammaFrey, 1946Roundtail1vein R4+5 straight, slender abdomen with yellow spots along the sides.
MeliscaevaFrey, 1946Thintail1vein R4+5 straight, abdomen thin with broad yellow bands
OcyptamusMacquart, 1834Hover Fly1very long slender abdomen, brown wing cloud.
ParasyrphusMatsumura, 1917Bristleside1 *under review
SphaerophoriaLe Peletier & Serville, 1828Globetail5 *straight R4+5 vein, slender abdomen with yellow stripes, scutum with lateral yellow stripes, male genitalia globose.
SyrphusFabricius, 1775Flower Fly5straight R4+5, yellow face and scutellum, dorsal side of lower calypter pilose.
XanthogrammaSchiner, 1860Harlequin Fly1yellow stripes on scutum black, brown and yellow stripes on abdomen.

Genus ''[Allograpta]''

Allograpta, once recognized is found to be a common species across the state along with Toxomerus.

Genus ''[Dasysyrphus]''

Dasysyrphus have recently been reviewed.Dasysyrphus laticaudus Boreal Conifer FlyDasysyrphus limatus Narrow-banded ConiferDasysyrphus venustus, 1822 Transverse Conifer FlyDasysyrphus intrudens '''Confusing Conifer Fly'''

Genus ''[Didea]''

Didea has a single species in New York.Didea fuscipes '''Undivided Lucent Fly'''

Genus ''Doros">Doros (fly)">Doros''

Doros aequalis '''Canadian Potter Fly'''

Genus Epistrophe">Epistrophe (fly)">Epistrophe

Genus ''[Epistrophella]''

Epistrophella emarginata Slender Smoothtail

Genus ''[Eupeodes]''

Eupeodes americanus Long-tailed AphideaterEupeodes latifasciatus Variable AphideaterEupeodes perplexus Bare-winged AphideaterEupeodes pomus '''Short-tailed AphideaterEupeodes volucris bird hoverfly'''

Genus ''[Lapposyrphus]''

Lapposyrphus lapponicus '''Common Loopwing Aphideater'''

Genus ''[Leucozona]''

Leucozona with one distinct species in New York. Another species, Leucozona xylotoides, has been observed in states bordering the eastern border of New York.
Leucozona americana American Whitebelt.

Genus ''[Megasyrphus]''

Megasyrphus laxus '''Black-legged Gossamer'''

Genus ''[Melangyna]''

Melangyna Melangyna fisherii Large-spotted HalfbandMelangyna lasiophthalma Hair-eyed HalfbandMelangyna umbellatarum '''Bare-winged Halfband'''

Genus ''[Meligramma]''

The Meligramma species in New York is also common in EuropeMeligramma triangulifera '''Variable Roundtail'''

Genus ''[Meliscaeva]''

Meliscaeva our one species is also common in Europe.Meliscaeva cinctella '''Common Thintail'''

Genus ''[Ocyptamus]''

Ocyptamus fuscipennis '''Dusky-winged Hover Fly'''

Genus ''[Parasyrphus]''

Genus ''[Philhelius]''

Philhelius flavipes '''American Harlequin Fly'''

Genus ''[Sphaerophoria]''

New York species all with bright yellow and black abdominal markings the thorax is dark with yellow scutellum. yellow markings along the sides and hemispherical male terminaliaSphaerophoria asymmetrica Asymmetric GlobetailSphaerophoria contigua Tufted GlobetailSphaerophoria novaeangliae Black-striped GlobetailSphaerophoria philanthus '''Black-footed Globetail'''

Genus ''[Syrphus]''

Syrphus knabi The Eastern Flower Fly.Syrphus rectus The Yellow-legged Flower Fly.Syrphus torvus The Hairy-eyed Flower FlySyrphus vitripennis The Black-legged Flower Fly.

Tribe [Toxomerini]

Genus ''[Toxomerus]''

Toxomerus marginatus Margined Calligrapher, the most common hoverfly in New YorkToxomerus politus Maize CalligrapherToxomerus geminatus '''Eastern Calligrapher'''