Common name : Hoverfly, Rat-tailed maggot (larva), Dronefly (adult)
Scientific name : Eristalis tenax
Family : Syrphidae
Native to : Europe
Interesting fact : The larvae of the hoverfly or dronefly, are known as rat-tailed maggots because of their affinity for sewers, drainage ditches, manure piles, etc.
The hoverfly has a 15 mm wingspan, and closely mimics a bee. The pupae of the hoverfly, however, are greyish-brown and 10-12 mm long. While adults feed on flowers, the rat-tailed maggots feed on bacteria living in sewers, drainage areas, sewage and polluted water sources. The rat-tailed maggots are known to cause intestinal infections in humans.
