Allograpta obliqua

Allograpta obliqua is a common North American species of hoverfly. The larvae are important predators on aphids.

Allograpta obliqua
Allograpta obliqua female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Genus:
Allograpta
Species:
A. obliqua
Binomial name
Allograpta obliqua
(Say, 1823)
Synonyms
  • Scaeva obliqua Say, 1823
  • Syrphus baccides Walker, 1849
  • Syrphus dimemsus Walker, 1852
  • Syrphus securiferus Macquart, 1842
  • Syrphus signatus Wulp, 1867

Description

Adults are 6–7 mm long, with yellow stripes on the thorax, and cross banding on the abdomen; with four longitudinal, yellow stripes or spots on the fourth and fifth tergite. Yellow face lacking a complete median stripe. Eggs are creamy white, elongate oval and about 0.84 mm in length. Full grown larvae are 8–9 mm.[1]

Life history

Adults of A. obliqua occur throughout the year in the southern part of their range. Eggs are laid on surfaces leaves or branches near aphids. Larvae hatch in two to eight days and feed on the aphids.[1]

Distribution

Found in most of the continental United States. Quebec in Canada, Bermuda, Mexico, and some parts of the Neotropical Americas, and the West Indies.[1]

References
  1. H. V. Weems (2008). "A Hover Fly, Allograpta obliqua (Say) (Insecta: Diptera:Syrphidae)" (PDF). DPI Entomology Circular. Gainesville, Florida: Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. 106 (1): 4. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
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