Trichopsomyia

Biology

Hover flies like the Trichopsomyia are small flies with large heads and eyes, and small antennae. Their bodies are medium to slender, with a waist that is not significantly narrow, unless it is a wasp mimicking species. They have one pair of clear wings, and the banded forms have yellow and black bands. Hoverflies resemble wasps or bees because of their black and yellow-striped abdomens. However, they are actually members of a fly family that have evolved to mimic wasps and bees for protection.

Hoverfly larvae are flattened, legless and maggot-like. Most are green or brown in colour. They are carnivorous and eat aphids.

Species