Aphideaters
(Eupeodes subg. Metasyrphus)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview
Metasyrphus is a subgenus of Eupeodes hoverflies known as aphideaters. There are at least 20 species of Metasyrphus worldwide, 20 species in North America north of Mexico, and 6 species in Minnesota.
Adults are found in a wide variety of habitats. They feed on flower nectar and pollen. Larvae feed on aphids. Some species prey on aphids on herbaceous plants in the ground layer, some on woody plants in the shrub layer, some on trees in the understory and canopy, and some at two or more layers.
Description
Distribution |
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Sources Telford, Horace S.. (1939). The Syrphidae of Minnesota. University of Minnesota. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. |
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| 11/25/2025 | ||
Taxonomy
Order
Suborder
Brachycera
Infraorder
Cyclorrhapha
Zoosection
Aschiza
Family
Syrphidae (Hover Flies)
Subfamily
Syrphinae (Typical Hover Flies)
Tribe
Syrphini
Genus
Eupeodes (Aphideaters)
Subordinate Taxa
American hover fly (Eupeodes americanus) 
bare-winged aphideater (Eupeodes perplexus)
black-bellied aphideater (Eupeodes confertus)
black-tailed aphideater (Eupeodes luniger)
Fluke’saphideater (Eupeodes flukei)
red-tailed aphideater (Eupeodes montivagus)
short-tailed aphideater (Eupeodes pomus)
spot-headed aphideater (Eupeodes neoperplexus)
variable aphideater (Eupeodes latifasciatus)
western aphideater (Eupeodes fumipennis)
Synonyms
Common Names
This subgenus has no common name. The common name of the genus is aphideaters, and it is applied here for convenience.
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