Drone Fly (likely a Spotted-eyed Drone Fly)
Scientific Name: Eristalinus aeneus (or Eristalinus taeniops)
Order & Family: Order Diptera; Family Syrphidae
Size: 8 mm to 12 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found near water sources, marshes, sewage lagoons, and gardens with flowers.
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers; larvae (known as rat-tailed maggots) feed on organic matter and bacteria in stagnant or polluted water.
Behavior Patterns
They are mimics of honey bees to avoid predators. Known for 'hovering' mid-air before darting away. The larvae have a long posterior siphon (tail) used for breathing while submerged in water.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: Important pollinators for various plants. Risks: Larvae can rarely cause accidental intestinal myiasis in humans if contaminated water is ingested, but generally considered harmless and beneficial to the ecosystem as decomposers and pollinators.
Identified on: 3/21/2026