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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Flies in the Diptera family Syrphidae are commonly known as flower flies, hoverflies, or Syrphid flies.
As their common names suggest, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae (maggots) eat a wide range of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprotrophs, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores and prey on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects. Aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year, and so aphid-feeding hover-flies are being recognised as important natural enemies of pests, and potential agents for use in biological control. Adult syrphid flies are important pollinators.
Many Syrphids mimic bees or wasps in appearance. It is thought that this mimicry protects hover flies from falling prey to birds and other insectivores which avoid eating true wasps because of their sting. However a flower fly and a wasp can be distinguished by counting the wings. The flies have two wings, and the wasps and bees have four. Hover flies get their name from their characteristic flight pattern of hovering nearly still, then darting a short distance very rapidly only to start hovering again, a pattern not seen in the wasps and bees they mimic.
About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described. |
earthtraveler, mariki has marked this note useful
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- eleana
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 203 W: 81 N: 70]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2105) - [2008-05-02 13:46]
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Hi Marx,
beautiful photo with good sharpness, light, and colours,
thanks and best wishes,
Elena
Hi Marx, There is a soft, delicate quality to this image that is very beautiful. It's the white flowers that does it and the superb composition. Otherwise the focus details of the fly and main flower are wonderfully sharp with beautiful light. Fantastic work! Tfs Richard
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- mariki
(6879)
- [2008-05-03 0:37]
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Hello Marx,
Very beautiful presentation of this syrphid fly. Excellent POV, DOF and sharpness. Great exposure. Wonderful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 46 W: 74 N: 185]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-g-g.gif){kind=small}