Meadow Flies
ExploreInsects
Meadow Flies
Chrysotoxum
Meadow flies are small, colorful insects that love to buzz around flowers. They are often seen in sunny meadows, where they help pollinate plants while searching for nectar.
Habitat: Meadows
Appearance
The Meadow Flies has a slender body, often featuring bright yellow and black stripes across its abdomen, making it resemble a wasp or bee. It possesses two clear wings and large, prominent compound eyes that cover much of its head. Their short, stubby antennae distinguish them from the longer antennae of bees.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusChrysotoxum
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Instead of chewing, adult Meadow Flies use a spongy tongue to slurp up sweet nectar.
Some Meadow Flies larvae are secret agents, living hidden inside ant nests!
Their wings beat so incredibly fast, over 200 times every single second!
Wow! Meadow Flies can fly backwards and sideways, amazing aerial tricks!
Special abilities
Ability
Perfect Hovering
Meadow Flies can stay perfectly still in mid-air because of their powerful wing muscles, which helps them search for flowers or avoid predators.
Ability
Disguise Master
Meadow Flies has bright yellow and black patterns that make them look like wasps, which helps them scare away hungry birds and other attackers.
Ability
Aphid Predator Power
Meadow Flies larvae can gobble up many tiny aphids because of their strong mouthparts, which helps farmers protect their crops naturally.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 15-30 mm
- Size
- 8-18 mm
- Lifespan
- 15-40 days
- Flight Speed
- 10 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip sweet nectar and pollen, while their hungry young often munch on garden pests!
Age differences: Larvae are often carnivorous, feasting on aphids, while adults primarily feed on nectar and pollen.
Primary Foods
- nectar
- pollen
- aphids
- honeydew
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
pollinates
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Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Adults visit their flowers for nectar and pollen.
hunts
Cotton Aphid
Aphis gossypii
Their larvae prey on these tiny garden pests.
eaten by
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Great Tit
Parus major
A common bird that will feed on adult flies.
pollinates
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
Help these plants produce their delicious fruit.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Meadow flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meadow Flies's wingspan?
15-30 mm
How big is Meadow Flies?
8-18 mm
How long does Meadow Flies live?
15-40 days
How fast can Meadow Flies fly?
10 km/h
What does Meadow Flies eat?
Adults sip sweet nectar and pollen, while their hungry young often munch on garden pests!
Where is Meadow Flies usually found?
Meadows
How does Meadow Flies hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Meadow Flies have?
6
Snap Map
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