Syrphus vitripennis

Syrphus vitripennis is a very common European and North American species of hoverfly. Its larvae feed on aphids

Description

For terms see Morphology of Diptera

Wing length 7·25-10·25 mm. Frons above lunulae black. Tergites 3 and 4 with entire yellow bands and lateral margin of tergites black. Male: femora 3 black for basal three-quarters. Female: femora 3 black on basal two-thirds. The male genitalia and the larva are figured by Dusek and Laska. See references for determination.

Distribution

Palearctic throughout. Nearctic Alaska to California.
Migratory.

Biology

Habitat: Deciduous and coniferous woodland and anthropophilic, occurring along field hedges, in suburban gardens and parks. Flies March to October.