A large flower fly (family Syrphidae) common in many parts of Maryland. It flies mainly from late March to May and September through early November. The bifurcated flight period may be in part related to migration, but research is needed to confirm. Visits a wide variety of flowers. Eggs are laid on vegetation overhanging ponds; larvae hatch and fall into the pond where they develop and breathe through long tubes called "rat tails."
Can be identified with care from photos. The only other member of the genus recorded by the project as of this writing is the rare H. latifrons. However, other genera are similar (e.g., Parahelophilus).
There are 197 records in the project database.
GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |