Stats

Lifespan: A few weeks
Size: Small
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Europe and Asia
Movement: Flight
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Warning Colors
Status: Common

About

The Common Drone Fly is a master of disguise that mimics the look of a honeybee to stay safe while it sips sweet nectar from garden blossoms. As a youngster, it lives in shallow water and uses a long, snorkel-like tail to breathe air from the surface.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Genus: Eristalis
Species: Eristalis tenax