Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Yellow-bodied flies- what are they?
Just today and yesterday I have seen numerous flies, maybe a little larger
than a hoverfly but otherwise similar, but with bright yellow bodies and black wings (seen at rest). These have all been apparently laying eggs, or doing sometthig very similar with their rear end, in or on the stems of roses- all but one of these were on young succulent rose stems. They spend several minutes doing whatever they are doing, then fly away. Does anyone recognise this description, and if so, what are they, are they harmful, beneficial, or interesting? They certainly LOOK interesting..... -- VX (remove alcohol for email) |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
You say they look like hoverflies. Do they also behave like hoverflies (ie. hover)? If so, I'd guess hoverflies. There are many different kinds and they come in different sizes and colours and shapes. Hoverflies is good - they eat aphids even better than ladybirds. I suggest buying a book on insects, one that describes the different groups and their basic anatomies. It doesn't take long to be able to identify the anatomical differences between the different groups of insects, and it's very interesting. A whole new world of wildlife opens up. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Yellow-bodied flies- what are they?
echinosum wrote: VX Wrote: Just today and yesterday I have seen numerous flies, maybe a little larger than a hoverfly but otherwise similar, but with bright yellow bodies and black wings (seen at rest). These have all been apparently laying eggs, or doing sometthig very similar with their rear end, in or on the stems of roses- all but one of these were on young succulent rose stems. They spend several minutes doing whatever they are doing, then fly away. If they are that still, perhaps you could take a photo? Colour doesn't help very much in identifying insects, it's shape that matters, and that is rather hard to describe in words unless you already know enough insect anatomy to know (roughly) what it is. You say they look like hoverflies. Do they also behave like hoverflies (ie. hover)? If so, I'd guess hoverflies. I agree with that; good chaps hoverflies. They ehhh hover. Desmodium dublinensis |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Yellow-bodied flies- what are they?
"echinosum" wrote in message ... VX Wrote: Just today and yesterday I have seen numerous flies, maybe a little larger than a hoverfly but otherwise similar, but with bright yellow bodies and black wings (seen at rest). These have all been apparently laying eggs, or doing sometthig very similar with their rear end, in or on the stems of roses- all but one of these were on young succulent rose stems. They spend several minutes doing whatever they are doing, then fly away. If they are that still, perhaps you could take a photo? Colour doesn't help very much in identifying insects, it's shape that matters, and that is rather hard to describe in words unless you already know enough insect anatomy to know (roughly) what it is. You say they look like hoverflies. Do they also behave like hoverflies (ie. hover)? If so, I'd guess hoverflies. There are many different kinds and they come in different sizes and colours and shapes. Hoverflies is good - they eat aphids even better than ladybirds. I suggest buying a book on insects, one that describes the different groups and their basic anatomies. It doesn't take long to be able to identify the anatomical differences between the different groups of insects, and it's very interesting. A whole new world of wildlife opens up. -- echinosum In pedantic mode, hoverfly larvae eat aphids-the flies feed on nectar. regards David T |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Hover Flies v Yellow Sticky | United Kingdom | |||
but they're so *cute* when they're little! | Orchids | |||
Venus Fly Traps - How do they digest flies? | United Kingdom | |||
Flies Under Vine - What Are They? | United Kingdom | |||
how do they make tomatoes red when they are not ripe | Edible Gardening |