ExploreInsects

Northern Plushback

Palpada vinetorum

The Northern Plushback is a fuzzy little fly that loves to hang out in gardens and fields. Its soft, plushy body helps it blend in with flowers and plants, making it a fun insect to spot!

Habitat: Gardens and fields

Appearance

The Northern Plushback is a medium-sized fly with a fuzzy, bee-like body striped in bright yellow and black. Its clear wings are held out to the sides while resting. This distinct coloration makes it visually different from other flies, mimicking stinging insects.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusPalpada
Northern Plushback
furry trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
Northern Plushback

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Even though it looks like a bee, this fly cannot sting you!

Its larvae sometimes eat tiny garden pests like aphids!

Some hoverfly larvae live in water and breathe through a 'snorkel'!

They can fly backwards, which is super rare for an insect!

Special abilities

Ability

Hovering Master

Northern Plushback can hover perfectly still in the air because of its rapid wing beats, helping them spot flowers or mates.

Ability

Disguise Expert

Northern Plushback has a fuzzy yellow and black striped body that helps them look like a stinging bee or wasp, scaring predators away.

Ability

Pollen Power

Northern Plushback can transfer pollen between flowers on its fuzzy body, helping plants reproduce and creating food for other creatures.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
18-28 mm
Size
10-14 mm
Lifespan
15-30 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult Northern Plushbacks drink flower nectar and eat pollen for energy.

Age differences: Larvae are often detritivores, eating decaying plant matter, or predators, eating aphids.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Cotton aphid

Aphis gossypii

Larval Northern Plushbacks feast on these garden pests.

pollinates

New England aster

Aster novae-angliae

Adults transfer pollen between its beautiful purple flowers.

eaten by

Flower crab spider

Misumena vatia

This ambush spider sometimes preys on adults visiting flowers.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These flies are friendly and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Northern Plushback's wingspan?

18-28 mm

How big is Northern Plushback?

10-14 mm

How long does Northern Plushback live?

15-30 days

How fast can Northern Plushback fly?

15 km/h

What does Northern Plushback eat?

Adult Northern Plushbacks drink flower nectar and eat pollen for energy.

Where is Northern Plushback usually found?

Gardens and fields

How does Northern Plushback hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Northern Plushback have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

More Insects