Virginia Giant Hover Fly
Milesia virginiensis (Drury, 1773)
Virginia Giant Hover Fly: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.org/species/9872
Synonyms
Virginia Flower Fly  Yellowjacket Hover Fly 
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GAALWAFRCLMOHOBABCHACEPGAACVCHSMKEQACNTADOWISOWO

Status

Widespread and conspicuous, but generally uncommon in Maryland. Adults fly mostly June through October. Frequents deciduous forest openings and edges. Adults visit a variety of flowers. Larvae live in decaying heartwood of deciduous trees, including rot holes. (Skevington, 2019)

Description

The largest flower fly (family Syrphidae) in Maryland. Said to mimic queens of the Southern Yellowjacket (Vespula squamosa); reported size is 16.5-23.6 mm (Skevington, 2019). Emits a loud buzz, possibly the only Maryland flower fly to mimic the sound as well as the appearance of a wasp or hornet. Readily identified by the large size, buzz, and distinctive orange, black, and yellow abdominal pattern.

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Source: Wikipedia

Milesia virginiensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Eristalinae
Tribe: Milesiini
Subtribe: Milesiina
Genus: Milesia
Species:
M. virginiensis
Binomial name
Milesia virginiensis
(Drury, 1773)[1]
Distribution in the United States
Synonyms

Milesia virginiensis, known generally as the yellowjacket hover fly or Virginia flower fly, is a species of hoverfly in the family Syrphidae.[6]

Yellowjacket hover fly, Milesia virginiensis

It measures 18–21 millimetres (0.71–0.83 in).[citation needed] It lives in forest edges and meadows. Adults are active mid-summer to early fall.[citation needed]

Distribution

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United States, Ontario, Canada, Mexico[citation needed]

Behavior

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Adults of milesia virginiensis feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae are mainly detritovores, feeding on decaying plant matter. Adult milesia virginiensis are often seen hovering around an area, making erratic shifting movements before flying away. Milesia virginiensis cannot sting and are completely harmless.

Appearance

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Milesia virginiensis mimics stinging yellow-jackets or European hornets in appearance to deter potential predators. Larvae resemble caterpillars with a narrow neck and a set of antennae.

References

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  1. ^ a b Drury, Dru (1773). Illustrations of natural history... Vol. 1, 4 figs., [1770.04.23]; vol. 2, vii + 90 pp., 50 pls., and index to Vols. 1-2 (4 unnumbered pages). London: sold by White, Printed for the author. pp. xxviii + 130 pp. 50 pls.
  2. ^ Hausmann, J.F.L. (1799). Entomologische Bemerkungen. Braunschweig. p. 64.
  3. ^ Fabricius, Johann Christian (1805). Systema antliatorum secundum ordines, genera, species. Bransvigae: Apud Carolum Reichard. pp. i–xiv, 1–373. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. ^ Macquart, P.J.M. (1850). "Diptères exotiques nouveaux ou peu connus. 4e supplement". Mem. Soc. R. Sci. Agric. Arts, Lille. 1849: 309–479, pls. 1–14. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  5. ^ Bigot, Jacques Marie François (1884). "Diptères nouveaux ou peu connus. 22e partie, XXXII: Syrphidi (2e partie). espèces nouvelles, No 1er". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 3 (6): 315–356. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  6. ^ Skevington, J.H.; Locke, M.M.; Young, A.D.; Moran, K.; Crins, W.J.; Marshall, S.A (2019). Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America. Princeton Field Guides (First ed.). Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 512. ISBN 9780691189406.


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