Syrphus ribesii

Aphid predator 🐝🪰
This insect is a Dipteran (“relative” of flies) and belongs to the family of Syrphidae. Like most Syrphidae, it has a yellow and black coloration to mimic more dangerous insects, such as wasps, discouraging predators.
It is a common insect in the countryside and forests; adults feed on nectar 🌸🌺 and lay their eggs near aphid colonies. When the eggs hatch, the larvae voraciously feed on aphids with their sucking mouthparts. During the larval stage, they can consume up to 1,000 aphids!
⁉️ Did you know? 😲
Like other Syrphidae, Syrphus ribesii is an aerial acrobat: it can move in all directions, even backwards, and hover in place even in windy conditions! 🚁
Photo Pixabay