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Flower Fly

| By | Beneficial Insects

Flower Fly (Syrphidae spp.)  

Overview:

  • AKA hoverfly, syrphid fly​
  • Adults resemble bees (yellow or white and black striped abdomens), but are stingless flies & are not predators​
  • 1/8 to 5/8″ long and often found hovering like hummingbirds over flowers​
  • Can be attracted to salt and moisture on human skin​
  • Nonselective pollinators, feeding on a variety of plants​
  • Attracted to white/yellow flowers, & flowers that are more open in shape​
  • Larvae are grayish or greenish maggots, and somewhat translucent​
  • Only the larvae are predators​
  • Pupate in the soil​
  • Adults lay eggs near aphid colonies​
  • Prey pests: aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers, planthoppers, mealybugs, thrips​​

Management:

Fostering Beneficial Insect Populations:
  • Plant a diverse mix of flowers that bloom throughout the season​
  • Plant native species​
  • Choose flowers with ample nectar and pollen​
  • Asters, yarrow, anemones, milkweed, dogwood, serviceberries​
  • Plant with organic matter and leaf litter​
  • Avoid over-weeding 
Pesticide Impacts/Considerations:
  • Insecticides can kill flower flies (all life stages) or disrupt their behavior, reducing their ability to navigate, find food, and mate​
    • Flies are often exposed through contaminated food sources (nectar or pollen) or through encountering residues on leaves or flowers ​
  • Applicators MUST follow label instructions for in-bloom applications for any insecticide   ​
  • Spray only when necessary
Flower fly larvae are fly maggots & will often go undetected as they feed on prey. The dark colored markings on their bodies are clearly apparent. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)
Flower fly adult captured in mid-flight. Adults will hover in space as they search for potential flower pollen or prey to lay eggs. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)
Flower fly eggs are white & elongated. A bloated parasitised aphid & aphid white cast skins are shown nearby. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

Disclaimer – Materials do not cover all possible control scenarios and are intended for licensed professionals. Tradenames do not imply endorsement and are used as examples. You must strictly follow the label for each compound prior to use. Rutgers is not responsible form is used materials or damages thereof. The label is the law. Labels will provide detailed information on use and restrictions. Additionally, application intervals, compatibility, surfactant use, PHI, PPE, important and other key information is described in detail. Always discuss treatments with your local agents. Note: Neonicotinoids can only be legally applied in commercial agriculture settings by licensed applicators. Guidelines and recommendations made in this presentation are specific to the state of New Jersey.