Hoverfly Larva
Scientific Name: Syrphidae family (genus/species unknown)
Order & Family: Order: Diptera; Family: Syrphidae
Size: 1 mm to 20 mm depending on the development stage
Natural Habitat
Found on garden plants, agricultural crops, and near aphid colonies; often in moist or shaded areas.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily predatory, consuming aphids, scale insects, thrips, and other small soft-bodied insects.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae move in a slug-like manner, searching for prey. They are often active at night and go through three larval instars before pupating.
Risks & Benefits
They are highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardens as natural pest controllers and eventually grow into pollinating adult flies; they pose no risk to humans.
Identified on: 5/18/2026