These pretty little flies are commonly seen throughout the summer months. They visit various flowers seeking nectar. Their eyes seem over-sized for their overall body size. Their bodies are banded with dark brown and yellow very much like a bee which they resemble and are often mistaken for. Bees have two sets of wings whereas flies only have one set. They are in the Syriphidae family in the order Diptera(flies). Look for them in July and August in your flower gardens.
Hi there and welcome to Nature Blog Network. I'm very glad to learn about your blog as I am a Missouri Nature/Science Blogger, too.
ReplyDeleteCheck me out some time.
Flower flies are already out and about here in Southern California. I saw Paragus tibialis, Taxomerus marginatus, and Syritta pipiens all last Saturday.
ReplyDeleteTypically here in Missouri we see a few of these flies early in the season, like May or June, but most of them are seen later in the summer in July or August. At least that is how it seems in my gardens.
ReplyDeleteDNLee--What part of MO are you from? I am in NWMO.
ReplyDeleteI love syrphid flies and have photographed a few in my yard. Can't wait for it to warm up here.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, too. I have blogrolled you!