Flower Fly

 

This pretty little flower fly is the Common Oblique Syrphid (Allograpta obliqua). These are small flies that measure up to 3/8 of an inch. They can be found throughout most of North America. They are very common in flower beds where they will be seen nectaring at flowers. In the spring after mating the female will lay eggs on the leaves of various plants, usually near aphids. The young larvae will feed on the aphids. The adults are also partial to the honeydew that aphids produce from their anal glands. Typically these flies will be seen during the summer and early fall. On warmer days in the late fall they will be found at late blooming flowers, like these wild hollyhocks. Hardier plants like marigolds and mums will also attract them. They are sometimes called Hover Flies, from their ability to hover above flowers, they are also able to fly backwards. Syrphid Flies are considered important cross-pollinators of many plants. They are also predators of harmful aphids which attack various citrus crops,fruit trees, grains, corn, alfalfa, cotton, grapes, lettuce and other vegetables, ornamentals, and many wild host plants of the aphids. These little flies are often mistaken for sweat bees from their yellow and black banded bodies. They are beneficial and completely harmless to humans.