agronom.info agronomy portal
Reference · Pests

Hoverflies

Hoverflies (Syrphidae), while commonly known for their role as pollinators and aphid predators, include specific species that act as significant agricultural pests. The larvae of certain species, particularly from the genus Merodon, are known as bulb flies and can cause extensive damage to various cultivated crops.

157 items

What the section contains

Hoverfly Eupeodes confrater Eupeodes confrater Hoverfly Eupeodes pomus Eupeodes pomus Hoverfly perplexus Eupeodes perplexus Indian hoverfly Sphaerophoria indiana Ischiodon Ischiodon Ischiodon aegyptius Ischiodon aegyptius Ischiodon scutellaris Ischiodon scutellaris Lappet hoverfly Eupeodes lapponicus Large narcissus fly Merodon rufus Lesser bulb fly Eumerus funeralis Leucozona Leucozona Leucozona lucorum Leucozona lucorum Marmalade hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus Marmalade hoverfly Eupeodes corollae Marmalade hoverfly Scaeva pyrastri Marmalade hoverfly Syrphus corollae Marmalade hoverfly Syrphus ribesii Marmalade hoverfly Syrphus vitripennis Marmalade hoverfly (Syrphus torvus) Syrphus torvus Melangyna Melangyna Melangyna cincta Melangyna cincta Melangyna quadrimaculata Melangyna quadrimaculata Melangyna triangulifera Melangyna triangulifera Melanostoma Melanostoma Melanostoma ambiguum Melanostoma ambiguum Melanostoma fasciatum Melanostoma fasciatum Melanostoma mellinum Melanostoma mellinum Melanostoma scalare Melanostoma scalare Meliscaeva Meliscaeva Meliscaeva auricollis Meliscaeva auricollis Meliscaeva cinctella Meliscaeva cinctella Mesograpta Mesograpta Mesograpta marginata Mesograpta marginata Microdon fly Microdon Milesia Milesia Moon hoverfly Eupeodes luniger Myathropa Myathropa Myathropa florea Myathropa florea Narcissus bulb fly Eumerus narcissi Narcissus bulb fly Merodon equestris Narcissus bulb fly Merodon New Zealand hoverfly Melangyna novaezelandiae Onion bulb fly Eumerus figurans Onion bulb fly Eumerus Onion bulb fly Eumerus strigatus Parasyrphus Parasyrphus Parasyrphus punctulatus Parasyrphus punctulatus Parasyrphus vittiger Parasyrphus vittiger Platycheirus Platycheirus Platycheirus angustatus Platycheirus angustatus Platycheirus hyperboreus Platycheirus hyperboreus Platycheirus immarginatus Platycheirus immarginatus Platycheirus manicatus Platycheirus manicatus Platycheirus peltatus Platycheirus peltatus Platycheirus perpallidus Platycheirus perpallidus Platycheirus quadratus Platycheirus quadratus Platycheirus scutatus Platycheirus scutatus Raspberry bud moth Carposcalis obscura Rhingia Rhingia Rhingia campestris Rhingia campestris

Hoverflies

These insects belong to the order Diptera and the family Syrphidae. Understanding their taxonomy is crucial, as the family is ecologically diverse. While adult hoverflies are generally beneficial, the larval stage of specific members poses a serious threat to bulbs and root crops, requiring precise management strategies.

Crops most susceptible to these pests include onions, garlic, and ornamental bulbs such as narcissus and tulips. The larvae burrow deep into the bulb, consuming the internal layers. This feeding activity leads to the rapid decay of the bulb, stunted plant growth, and often the total loss of the crop in infested patches.

The life cycle involves overwintering as larvae within the bulbs or the soil. As temperatures rise in spring, the larvae pupate, and the adults emerge to mate. Females lay their eggs on the soil surface near the host plants. The hatching larvae then move to the root zone to begin feeding, often remaining unnoticed until the plant shows signs of wilting.

Effective management focuses on cultural practices rather than blanket chemical applications. Crop rotation is essential to break the life cycle, and farmers should remove and destroy any bulbs showing signs of infestation. Since many hoverflies are beneficial, it is vital to avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that would kill the predatory species along with the pests.