Community identification
Hoverfly Larva
Syrphidae (larva)
- Order & Family
- Order: Diptera; Family: Syrphidae
- Size
- Typically 1 mm to 20 mm depending on the species and growth stage.
Natural Habitat
Found on various plants, particularly those infested with aphids, in gardens, fields, and woodlands.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly predatory, specialized in consuming aphids, scale insects, and other soft-bodied garden pests.
Behavior Patterns
The larva moves in a slug-like manner, searching for prey by swinging its front end from side to side. After several molts, it pupates into a hoverfly adult.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardeners as an effective biological pest control agent against aphids.