Syrphus ribesii
Syrphus ribesii is a common hoverfly found throughout North America. Adults are 8.1-13.3 mm long and fly from March to November. Adults feed on nectar and pollen while larvae feed on aphids. You can distinguish between the ribesii male and female by eye placement: males’ eyes meet at the top of the head, while females’ eyes are separated.
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Species: Syrphus ribesii
Photograph: © 2010 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 18 August 2010
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45o20'53" N 111o10'31" W)