Classification

 

Domain: Eukarya

   Kingdom: Animalia

      Phylum: Arthropoda (subphylum Hexapoda)

         Class: Insecta

            Order: Diptera

               Family Syrphidae

                  Genus Eristalis

                     Species: Eristalis transversa

Figure: Image courtesy of Marty R., Iowa State University Department of Entomology

 

Domain: Eukarya

                This species is in the domain Eukarya because it is a multicellular organism with eukaryotic cells containing organelles such as the mitochondria. (Hickman et all 2009)

Kingdom: Animalia

                This species is a member of the kingdom animalia because it relies on other organisms for its nourishment (heterotroph) as well as having an embryonic stage of development and bilateral symmetry. (Hickman et all 2009)

Phylum: Arthropoda

                This species gains access to the phylum arthropoda by virtue of several characteristics including: a segmented body plan, tracheal tubes for respiration (terrestrial arthropods share this characteristic) a versatile exoskeleton that grows via ecdysis, highly developed sensory organs, as well as paired segmented appendages. (Hickman et all 2009)

Class: Insecta (Subphylum Hexapoda)

                The class Insecta, along with one other very small class, is found in the subphylum Hexapoda. Members of the class insecta are distinguishable from other arthropods for a variety of reasons, the principle of which is their body plan. Class insecta has 3 tagmata: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Additionally, this class is characterized by three pairs of legs (6 legs total) and two pairs of wings. (Hickman et all 2009) Some subgroups have modifications but this general body plan holds true for most of the class.

Order: Diptera

                This fly is in the order diptera because it has only one pair of wings; the second pair of wings has been modified into small structures called halters that function as gyroscopes during flight to keep the organism oriented.(Kaufman 2007) These halters are responsible for the hovering capabilities of these flies, giving rise to the nickname of hover flies. Additionally, adults are winged while larvae (young) are not.

Family Syrphidae

                The family Syrphidae has several unique features that set it apart from other families of flies. The first of these is that nearly all members of this family are predators of aphids, one of their main food sources.(Berry 1998) They also tend to feed on pollen and nectar which is related to an unique adaptation which is their camouflage.  All members of this family have coloration and body plans that resemble wasps and bees, more specifically alternating yellow, black, or white bands. (Berry 1998) This coloration scheme, combined with their characteristic hovering behavior, affords this family a degree of protection- most organisms will not bother anything that resembles a bee or wasp for fear of being stung.

Genus Eristalis

The genus eristalis has an interesting larval stage that is mostly predacious, feeding on primarily aphids. They are important in regulating aphid populations. (Skevington 2011) Adults of this genus can be found on flowers or near areas with a large amount of flowering plants as they are honey bee mimics, following coloration patterns of both honey bees and wasps. While the adults do not eat aphids themselves, they suck the honeydew from aphids for part of their nutrition. 

Species: Eristalis transversa

The Hover fly/Flower fly! So named for its  flight pattern of hovering above flowers, much like a hummingbird. In fact, hover flies primary food source, besides aphids, is honey and nectar from flowers. As such they are key pollinators for many habitats. (Kaufman 2007) The individual species of the Eristalis genus only differ slightly, especially in morphology/appearance. The main differences lie in the coloration of the dorsal side of the body. Eristalis transversa is distinguishable by its bright opaque yellow scutellum and its half-grey, half-black thorax. The presence of the yellow scutellum is often used for identification as it is truly unique to Eristalis transversa. (Skevington 2011)

Now explore the habitat of this unique insect: Habitat page

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