Hoverflies
(Epistrophe spp.)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview
Epistrophe is a genus of medium-sized hoverflies. There are almost 75 Epistrophe species worldwide, at least 5 species in Minnesota. They occur throughout Europe and North America. They are found in forest edges and openings. Adults feed on flower nectar and pollen. They are species generalists, visiting a variety of flowers. Larvae of European species prey on aphids, and though not known, it is likely that North American species do as well. It is suspected that there is only one generation per year, and that larvae enter a period of diapause..
Description
The face is yellow. The antennae are short, less than three times as long as broad. The plate between the thorax and abdomen (scutellum) is yellow. The lower front plate of the middle thoracic segment (katepisternum) has an upper and a lower patch of hairs. On Epistrophe hoverflies, these are broadly separated in front and narrowly joined in the rear. The abdomen is black with yellow markings. The sides are not parallel and the edges are rolled under. The first segment may have a yellow band or two disconnected spots. The second, third, and fourth segments each have a yellow band.
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 10/29/2025). Telford, Horace S.. (1939). The Syrphidae of Minnesota. University of Minnesota. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. |
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| 10/29/2025 | ||
Taxonomy
Order
Suborder
Brachycera
Infraorder
Cyclorrhapha
Zoosection
Aschiza
Family
Syrphidae (hover flies)
Subfamily
Syrphinae (typical hover flies)
Tribe
Syrphini
Subordinate Taxa
black-horned smoothtail (Epistrophe grossulariae) 
black-margined smoothtail (Epistrophe metcalfi)
broad-faced smoothtail (Epistrophe ochrostoma)
emarginate smoothtail (Epistrophe xanthostoma)
hairy-winged smoothtail (Epistrophe terminalis)
spring epistrophe (Epistrophe eligans)
straight-banded smoothtail (Epistrophe nitidicollis)
Synonyms
Common Names
This genus has no common name. The common name for the family Syrphidae is hover flies, and it is used here for convenience.
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