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IPM Scouting in Woody Landscape Plants

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Syrphid fly
IPM scouting in woody landscape plants > predatory flies > syrphid fly
Syrphid fly adults feed on nectar. They are also called hover flies because they hover in the air. Adults are often mistaken for honey-bees; but have only one pair of wings, compared with two pair for honeybees. Larvae are green to brown, sometimes bi-colored. They are important aphid predators and are often found in aphid colonies. Larvae are 5-10 mm long.
Syrphid fly Syrphid fly larvae
Syrphid fly adult. Syrphid fly larvae.

Additional information

  • MSU Landscape Alert newsletters for information about the current growing season, pest concerns and plant advice.
This information was developed from A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants by Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2839).
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 10/11/07