What is the scientific name of hoverflies?
Q: What is the scientific name of hoverflies?
A: The scientific name of hoverflies is Syrphidae.
Q: How do hoverflies protect themselves from predators?
A: Hoverflies mimic wasp stripes, and are usually smaller than wasps. Thus to a bird they may look scarcely worth eating, and dangerous. This is an example of Batesian mimicry, where the hoverfly looks like something dangerous or which tastes disgusting, but in reality it is harmless.
Q: What do adult hoverflies feed on?
A: Adult syrphid flies mainly feed on nectar and pollen.
Q: What do larvae (maggots) eat?
A: Larvae (maggots) can eat a wide range of foods depending on the species; some are saprotrophs that eat decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams, while others are insectivores that prey on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects.
Q: How many species have been described so far?
A: About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described so far.
Q: Where can hoverflies be found?
A: Hoverflies can be found throughout the world except Antarctica.
