Hover Fly

Description:

Hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies or syrphid flies, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae (maggots) eat a wide range of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprotrophs, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores and prey on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects. Aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year; because of this, aphidophagous hoverflies are being recognized as important natural enemies of pests, and potential agents for use in biological control. Some adult syrphid flies are important pollinators.

Habitat:

Hoverflies indulge in a wide range of habitats many of which are in decline. The favoured habitat for adult Doros profuges appears to be the transition zone between woodland or scrub and calcareous grassland. but clearly this hoverfly is dependent on its host the ant and factors which affect it such as the ants Northerly limit. woodland and Forest management also play crucial with much dead and rotting wood being removed.

Notes:

Click the link for better quality photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57454758@N0... Technical Info: - f8,1/100,ISO250 - Nikon D90 + 50mm Prime + 25mm ET, DIY Diffuser - Handheld