Eupeodes americanus

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Infraclassis: Neoptera
Cladus: Eumetabola
Cladus: Endopterygota
Superordo: Panorpida
Cladus: Antliophora
Ordo: Diptera
Subordo: Brachycera
Infraordo: Muscomorpha
Sectio: Aschiza
Superfamilia: Syrphoidea
Familia:Syrphidae
Subfamilia: Syrphinae
Tribus: Syrphini
Genus: Eupeodes

Species: Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann, 1830)
Published in: Wiedemann, C.R.W. 1830. Aussereuropäische zweiflügelige Insekten. Als Fortsetzung des Meigenschen Werks. Zweiter Theil. Schulz, Hamm. xii + 684 pp., 5 pls. [1830.09.01]

Eupeodes americanus, the American hoverfly, is found throughout North America and inhabits meadows, and fields with flowers and foliage. Adults feed on nectar, whereas their larvae feed on aphids. The adult fly is black to metallic green, and has three yellow bands on its abdomen. Its face is a light yellow with large black compound eyes on either side, and its wings are clear; it is 9–12 mm in body length.[1] The larvae are mature at around 11 mm, and they are yellow-white to salmon brown, with markings of black and white or yellow-white. The lighter markings consist of a transverse rectangular bars on segments 6 to 11, and a narrow line along each side of the larvae. Early instars have visible black setae. The larvae are active feeders. They are being considered as suitable biological control agents for aphids and scale insects.[2]

References

Milne, Lorus; Margery Milne (2000). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-394-50763-0.
Bugg, Robert L.; Colfer, Ramy G.; Chaney, William E.; Cannon, James (2008). "Flower Flies (Syrphidae) and Other Biological Control Agents for Aphids in Vegetable Crops" (PDF Adobe Acobat). ANR Publication. Oakland, California: University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Publication 8285: 1–25. Retrieved 2009-09-27.