Syrphus. Mosca cernidora

Description:

Its wasp-like appearance, the kind that sting, keeps potential predators at bay, however, it is Syrphus ribesii, a hoverfly, that is, it is nothing more than a fly disguised as danger. It has no stinger, nor does it bite. Well, actually, in its larval stage, it devours harmful aphids, and is therefore used in biological pest control. As an adult, it is a tireless visitor to flowers, an effective pollinator. Its flight capacity allows it to hover in the air, like a kestrel or a helicopter does. For this reason it is also known as a sifting fly. To distinguish it from the real wasps, one can look at those big eyes, which say I am a fly, calm down. Or you can also notice that it does not have a “wasp waist”. The antennae are very short and it only has one pair of wings - like all Diptera - and not two pairs like wasps do.

Habitat:

On the terrace of a house, in the center of the city of Valencia.

Notes:

They feed on aphids (aphids) and other small insects. They are valuable for pest control.