This small fly is a little less than 1/2 inch (10 mm) in length. It has an elongated abdomen that is orange with 2 black bands on segments 1 and 2. The thorax is dark brown with yellow on the sides. The large eyes are brown and the face is white. The legs are pale yellow and the wings are clear.
This flower fly is probably common in this area. Sphaerophoria flower flies are found coast to coast in North America.
There are 13 species in the genus Sphaerophoria in North America. The larvae of this genus of flies eat aphids and are important in aphid control.
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