Syrphus
A genus of two-winged flies (Diptera) popularly known as "Hawkflies," because of their rapid, darting flight. They are partial to settling on flowers; and most of them are conspicuous because of the bright spots of yellow, and the metallic greens and other hues, that they bear. They mostly vary in size between a common Housefly and a Bluebottle Fly; and some of them are a good deal the same shape as the latter insect. Hawkflies are mostly smooth-bodied; but, in several genera allied closely to Syrphus (e.g., Volucella), the species are hairy, and some look much like small Humble-bees. There are numerous species in the genus Syrphus, a good many of which are British. The larvae are of much assistance to gardeners, by destroying the Aphides, or Green-flies. The larvae of the various species are much alike; all of them are fleshy, and taper from the hinder end to the pointed anterior part, in which is situated the mouth. The body is ringed, and the larva moves very much as a leech does, by contracting and lengthening its body. The female fly lays her eggs on twigs infested by Aphides. The larvae, so soon as hatched, begin to feed on these insects, seizing them one by one, holding each in the air till sucked dry, and then seizing and sucking another. When full-fed, the larvae fix themselves by the tails, by means of a cement, to twigs of the plants, and, usually in a few days, the flies emerge. They should not be injured by gardeners, but should be protected as far as possible. THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, An Encyclopaedia Of Horticulture. The following are the Abbreviations used:-fl. flowers; fr. fruit; l. leaves; h. height; deg. degrees; rhiz. rhizomes; cau. caudex; sti. stipes.