Eristalis arbustorum , the European drone fly, is an abundant Northern Hemisphere species of syrphid fly, originally first officially described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Musca arbustorum. The name "drone fly" is related to its similar appearance to the drone of the honeybee. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults, also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the long-tailed type.
External images For terms see Morphology of Diptera
Wing length 7–10 mm. Arista plumose (at least basal half). Face entirely pale dusted (in rubbed specimens shining black median stripe). Hind femora pale at tip only. Resembles E. abusiva, but distinguished by the plumose arista, also less projecting mouth-edge and overall pubescence shorter. Top 1⁄4 of tibia 2 black.[2][3][4][5]
The male genitalia are figured by Hippa et al. (2001)[6] The larva is figured by Hartley (1961).[7]
Eristalis arbustorum is found in a wide range of wetlands and in alluvial softwood forest, temperate coniferous forests, boreal forests, taiga, and montane tundra, as well as farmland, urban parks and gardens. It visits the flowers of a wide range of low-growing plants and shrubs.[8] The larva is aquatic, occurring in shallow, nutrient rich standing water and in cow-dung, silage pits and compost heaps. The species is known to be migratory in Europe.[9]
Eristalis arbustorum occurs throughout the Palaearctic, including North Africa, as well as in North India (Indomalayan realm).[10] In North America, the species was introduced near Toronto around 1885 and is now ubiquitous throughout much of the United States and Canada.[9][11] distribution map
Eristalis arbustorum , the European drone fly, is an abundant Northern Hemisphere species of syrphid fly, originally first officially described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Musca arbustorum. The name "drone fly" is related to its similar appearance to the drone of the honeybee. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults, also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the long-tailed type.
