TROPIDIA QUADRATA
Tropidia quadrata
FLOWER FLY FAMILY (Syrphidae)
This Syrphid fly is approximately 1/2 inch (13 mm) in length. The eyes are very large and dark red. The thorax and the scutellum are shiny black. The abdomen is yellow with a black T-shaped mark on the first segment and a brown tip. The end of the abdomen is down-curved. The hind legs are mostly black and the femur is enlarged. The wings are clear brown. This fly was identified by volunteer experts at the BugGuide website.
The frequency of occurrence is not known. The individual shown here was photographed in the wetlands garden in Fontenelle Forest in late June.
There are 8 species in the genus Tropidia in North America. Adults feed on a variety of flowers. They hover in place, fly off and usually return to the same area. The larvae develop in dung and other decomposing matter.
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