Don’t I wish that Syrphid Saturday could become an ongoing series. That would take some doing as, although there are over 900 Syrphid species in the U.S., as of yet I’ve only seen a handful in the yard and elsewhere. I have a Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America and it took around a hundred or so photographers to supply the images. I’ll do my best.
Here is the newest member of our yard Flower Flies.
Transverse Flower Fly-Eristalis transversa. Aka, a Hover Fly. For the most part they feed on nectar, (although sometimes lay their eggs on a host) in this case of the Virginia Virgin’s Bower-Clematis virginiana, located behind our woodpile. The flowering vine is in the way of stacking wood so I’ll wait until flowering is past before trimming it back. It’s an aggressive grower so will be just as lush next year. It is currently draping our Elderberry bushes which are also very prolific.
I would have liked a better look at the head but only got off two shots with the 7D II, 100, and flash setup before it disappeared into an inaccessible part of the flowers. I guess it was very conscientious about pollinating and no time for posing
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
I’m glad to see you adding to your Syrphid catalog. I immediately recognized the flowers as some sort of Clematis. I looked up your species and found it grows as close as three counties to the north of Austin.
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The Flower Fly is found in Texas and possibly around you as well.
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I’ve found it in east Texas, too. McClennan county, which I think is what you were referencing, means Waco.After seeing so many east Texas plants and local aquatic plants listed for McClennan, I did some poking around. I’m sure the relatively new Lake Waco Wetlands probably is home to many of the plants like this clematis. It’s a touch far for me, but it’s on my list of places I’d like to visit.
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I’d not heard of the Lake Waco Wetlands, which at a distance of 105 miles from home is a touch far for me, too. Maybe someday….
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Hello, I’m Queen from Italy, best wishes 🌻🌼🌸🌹💐 very beautiful photo 😍😍😍
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Thank you!
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I’ve seen that clematis in east Texas. It blooms prolifically, and I’ve sometimes seen it climbing high into longleaf and loblolly pines. Now that they’re getting rain, I’m hoping to make a trip over there; the last photos I have of the plant were taken in August, so I might get lucky. The fragrance can be lovely, and it certainly has plenty of treats for your syrphid.
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That sounds just like the plant in our yard. It has climbed to the top of the elderberries which are about 10 feet high and spreads like crazy. Covered with hundreds, maybe thousands, of flowers and usually has a few dozen bees visiting them as well as wasps, syrphids, and a some other bugs. Hope you find it healthy when you visit.
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Syrphids rock. I really like the Mimicry in some species, how they look like bees.
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I am always happy to see any of them but especially a new to me species. The feather-legged fly I posted today is also a mimic.
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I do like hoverflies! But I think we have fewer this year, so I hope they do better next year.
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Their population does seem a bit low this year but lately I’ve seen a few more.
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Busy little bee (well… fly). You’re lucky it gave you any time at all.
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I was lucky, that’s for sure. I recently purchased the Canon twin flash because the Yongnuo model kept misfiring and with some insect subjects one shot is all you get. I might have missed this with a misfire.
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For some reason, “flower flies” triggered in my head “flying fickle finger of fate” (old Smothers Brothers thing), an award you may need to win to do a serious Syrphid Saturday series.
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I would need a little help from fickle old fate to accumulate a goodly number..
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A field guide for Flower flies, who knew? I bow in your direction! The Clematis is doing its work for you. 😉
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There’s field guides for several different types of insects…ants, bees, wasps, in addition to all those Peterson subjects. The Clematis just showed up one day, I had not seen it there for our first thirty years here, and continues to thrive. Thanks, Lynn!
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