We are very grateful to Dr John T. Smit for the identification of the images on this page.
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Photographs on this page were taken by Paul Smith, Alex Wild and Moriz Stiefel are used with permission.
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FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4

FIGURE 4
FIGURE 1 - Ornidia obesa - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith January 2008).
FIGURE 2 - Palpada sp. (Subfamily Eristalinae) - San Miguel, Departamento Misiones (Alex Wild www.myrmecos.net undated).
FIGURE 3 - Toxomerus politus - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Moriz Stiefel March 2008).
FIGURE 4 - Palpada sp.(Subfamily Eristalinae) - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith March 2010).
SYRPHIDAE - FLOWER FLIES
More than 6000 species have been described in this worldwide family. Sometimes known as "hoverflies" for their ability to hover in front of flowers, many species are yellow and black in colour, mimicking wasps. They are however completely inoffensive, and in fact some species which feed on aphids are actually extremely beneficial. Other species whose adults feed mainly on nectar are important pollinators. Hoverflies are distinguished from other flies by a spurious vein, located parallel to the fourth longitudinal wing vein. Larvae eat a variety of foods, some being saprotrophs whilst others are predatory and many are aquatic.
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