Eastern Hornet Fly

Appearance

''S. longicornis'' is typically 11-15 millimeters long. ''S. longicornis'' has a black body with yellow markings and stripes on its abdomen. Its wings are mostly clear with a dark tinge, and the anterior portion of the wings are typically darker brown in color. The back four legs are yellowish in color, and the front two legs are yellow at the base and black at the ends. They tend to rest on their back four legs and move their front two legs above their head, making them appear like antennae on the Hymenoptera species that they mimic.

Distribution

''S. longicornis'' is widespread in eastern North America. These flies can be found near and around flowers that produce pollen and nectar, which they feed on. Also, rotting trees are an important environmental component of their habitat. ''S. longicornis'' larvae are typically found in rot holes, or rotting cavities found in live trees, and develop there. Almost all types of trees can develop rot holes, but they are more common for certain types of trees than others. The rot holes provide a food source and protection for the larvae. Thus, these damp environments are ideal for larval development. Adult ''S. longicornis'' flies are most often found hovering over flowers that produce large amounts of pollen and nectar, the adults' food source.

Habitat

''S. longicornis'' is widespread in eastern North America. These flies can be found near and around flowers that produce pollen and nectar, which they feed on. Also, rotting trees are an important environmental component of their habitat. ''S. longicornis'' larvae are typically found in rot holes, or rotting cavities found in live trees, and develop there. Almost all types of trees can develop rot holes, but they are more common for certain types of trees than others. The rot holes provide a food source and protection for the larvae. Thus, these damp environments are ideal for larval development. Adult ''S. longicornis'' flies are most often found hovering over flowers that produce large amounts of pollen and nectar, the adults' food source.

Evolution

''S. longicornis'' larvae are found in rot holes in rotting trees., while adults spend the majority of their time around flowers to get pollen and nectar for food and for mating. Females need pollen for reproductive development.

Only adult ''S. longicornis'' flies eat the pollen and nectar from flowers. Pollen has a high content of nitrogenous nutrients. Because of this, females are able to use the nutrients from pollen to develop their reproductive tissues. These nutrients, which are not consumed by ''S. longicornis'' flies until adulthood, are important for vitellogenesis, also known as yolk deposition. They also consume nectar from flowers and use that energy for their hovering behavior.