aphideaters

(Eupeodes subg. Metasyrphus)

Overview
aphideater (Eupeodes subg. Metasyrphus)
Photo by Babette Kis
 
 

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 5 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.

 
           
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 72, 82.

Telford, Horace S.. (1939). The Syrphidae of Minnesota. University of Minnesota. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.

 
  1/17/2021      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Diptera (flies)

 
 

Suborder

Brachycera

 
 

Infraorder

Muscomorpha (=Cyclorrhapha)

 
  Zoosection

Aschiza

 
 

Superfamily

Syrphoidea

 
 

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

 
 

aphideaters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Created: 1/17/2021

Last Updated:

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