Transverse-banded Flower Fly

Eristalis transversa

The Transverse-banded Flower Fly is a friendly insect that looks like a bee but is actually a fly! They love to visit flowers and help plants grow by spreading pollen.

Hábitat: Urban areas

Aspecto

The Transverse-banded Flower Fly has a robust, hairy body with distinct yellow and black stripes across its abdomen, closely mimicking a bee or wasp. It features large reddish-brown eyes and clear, iridescent wings. Its pattern is key to distinguishing it visually.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenDipteraFamiliaSyrphidaeGéneroEristalis

Transverse-banded Flower Fly

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Adult flower flies mostly sip sweet nectar, but they also eat protein-rich pollen for energy and growth!

Its larvae, known as “rat-tailed maggots,” live in polluted water with a long, snorkel-like breathing tube!

These flies are expert flyers, able to change direction instantly and even fly backward with amazing skill!

Unlike bees which have four wings, flower flies only have two wings, making them true flies!

Habilidades especiales

Transverse-banded Flower Fly can avoid predators by mimicking the appearance of stinging bees and wasps, which helps them stay safe.

Transverse-banded Flower Fly can perform incredible hovering flight, remaining stationary in mid-air, which helps them precisely navigate flowers for nectar.

Transverse-banded Flower Fly has hairy bodies that collect pollen, helping them transfer it between plants as they feed on nectar, aiding plant reproduction.

Medidas y detalles

Envergadura: 15-20 mm
Tamaño: 9-13 mm
Esperanza de vida: 15-45 días
Velocidad de vuelo: 8 km/h
Cantidad de patas: 6

Dieta y alimentación

Adults sip nectar and pollen from flowers, while larvae munch on decaying matter underwater.

Diferencias por edad: Larvae are aquatic filter-feeders, consuming decaying organic matter and microorganisms, unlike nectar-feeding adults.

Alimentos principales

nectar
pollen

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

pollinates

Common Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

visits its bright yellow flowers for nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Canada Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

helps transfer pollen between its numerous small flowers.

eaten by

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

a common bird predator in North American habitats.

Rasgos

A rayas

Marcado con bandas paralelas o líneas de color.

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.

Colorido

Colorido describe a organismos u objetos que exhiben una amplia variedad de colores brillantes y distintivos.

Herbívoro

Este rasgo caracteriza a los organismos cuya dieta consiste total o principalmente en material vegetal.

Imán para polinizadores

Describe plantas que son particularmente atractivas y beneficiosas para una amplia variedad de organismos polinizadores.

Diurno

Los animales diurnos están activos principalmente durante el día y suelen descansar o dormir por la noche.

Adaptado a la ciudad

Esta característica de hábitat indica especies que pueden coexistir con los humanos en entornos urbanos y suburbanos, utilizando estructuras artificiales y espacios verdes.