List of flower fly species of New Zealand facts for kids

Did you know that New Zealand is home to many amazing insects, including tiny, buzzing creatures called hoverflies? These flies are often mistaken for bees or wasps because they look similar, but they are actually harmless flies! They are super important for our environment, especially for helping plants grow by moving pollen around.

This article is all about the different types of hoverflies found in New Zealand. Scientists have recorded 37 types of hoverflies that are endemic to New Zealand, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world! There's also one native species from the wider Oceania region and five introduced species. Introduced species are those that have been brought to New Zealand by people, sometimes by accident. Scientists are still discovering more, with about 48 more endemic species waiting to be officially named and described! This list is based on important research by a scientist named F. Christian Thompson in 2008.

What are Hoverflies?

Hoverflies are part of a big insect group called Diptera, which means "two-winged" – just like house flies! They get their name because they can hover perfectly still in the air, even when it's windy. This amazing trick helps them find flowers to feed on nectar and pollen. Many hoverflies are also helpful because their larvae (baby hoverflies) eat tiny pests like aphids that can harm plants.

Why are Hoverflies Important?

Hoverflies play a big role in nature. As adults, they visit flowers to drink nectar, which gives them energy. While they are on the flowers, pollen sticks to their bodies, and they carry it to other flowers. This process is called pollination, and it's how many plants make seeds and fruits. Without pollinators like hoverflies, many of our favorite plants wouldn't be able to grow!

Endemic, Native, and Introduced Species

When we talk about animals and plants, we often use special words to describe where they come from:

• Endemic species are unique to one place and found nowhere else. New Zealand has many endemic hoverflies, showing how special its natural environment is.
• Native species are found naturally in a region, but might also live in other places.
• Introduced species (also called exotic or non-native species) are those that have been brought to a new area by humans, either on purpose or by accident. Sometimes, introduced species can become invasive, meaning they spread quickly and can harm the local plants and animals.

Hoverfly Families in New Zealand

Scientists group living things into different families and subfamilies to help understand them better. Think of it like organizing books in a library! Hoverflies are divided into two main subfamilies in New Zealand: Syrphinae and Eristalinae.

Subfamily Syrphinae

This group includes many hoverflies that are often seen buzzing around flowers. They are known for being important pollinators.

Tribe Bacchini

This tribe is a smaller group within the Syrphinae subfamily.

Genus Melanostoma

• Melanostoma fasciatum (Macquart, 1850)

Subgenus Eocheilosia

This subgenus contains many species of Platycheirus hoverflies. New Zealand has quite a few unique ones!

• Platycheirus antipodus (Hull, 1949)
• Platycheirus captalis (Miller, 1924)
• Platycheirus clarkei Miller, 1921
• Platycheirus cunninghami (Miller, 1921)
• Platycheirus fulvipes (Miller, 1924)
• Platycheirus harrisi (Miller, 1921)
• Platycheirus howesii (Miller, 1921)
• Platycheirus huttoni Thompson, 1989
• Platycheirus leptospermi (Miller, 1921)
• Platycheirus lignudus Miller, 1921
• Platycheirus myersii (Miller, 1924)
• Platycheirus notatus (Bigot, 1884)
• Platycheirus ronanus (Miller, 1921)

Tribe Syrphini

Another important group within the Syrphinae subfamily.

Genus Allograpta

These hoverflies are also common visitors to flowers.

• Allograpta atkinsoni (Miller, 1921)
• Allograpta dorsalis (Miller, 1924)
• Allograpta flavofaciens (Miller, 1921)
• Allograpta hirsutifera (Hull, 1949)
• Allograpta hudsoni (Miller, 1921)
• Allograpta pseudoropala (Miller, 1921)
• Allograpta ropala (Walker, 1849)
• Allograpta ventralis (Miller, 1921)

Genus Anu

• Anu una Thompson, 2008

Subgenus: Austrosyrphus

• Melangyna novaezelandiae (Macquart, 1855)

Genus Simosyrphus

• Simosyrphus grandicornis (Macquart, 1842) – This species is found in many parts of Oceania, not just New Zealand.

Subfamily Eristalinae

This subfamily includes hoverflies that often mimic bees, sometimes even bumblebees!

Tribe Eristalini

Subgenus: Pilinasica

This subgenus contains many species of Helophilus hoverflies.

• Helophilus antipodus Schiner, 1868
• Helophilus campbelli (Miller, 1921)
• Helophilus campbellicus Hutton, 1902
• Helophilus cargilli Miller, 1911
• Helophilus chathamensis Hutton, 1901
• Helophilus cingulatus (Fabricius, 1775)
• Helophilus hectori Miller, 1924
• Helophilus hochstetteri (Nowicki, 1875)
• Helophilus ineptus Walker, 1849
• Helophilus montanus (Miller, 1921)
• Helophilus seelandicus (Gmelin, 1790)
• Helophilus taruensis Miller, 1924

Genus Eristalinus

• Eristalinus aeneus (Scopoli, 1763) – introduced

Genus Eristalis

• Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758) – introduced

Tribe Merodontini

Genus Eumerus

• Eumerus funeralis Meigen, 1822 – introduced
• Eumerus strigatus (Fallen, 1817) – introduced

Genus Merodon

• Merodon equestris (Fabricius, 1794) – introduced

Genus Psilota

• Psilota decessa (Hutton, 1901)

Tribe Milesiini

Subgenus: Paratropidia

• Orthoprosopa bilineata (Walker, 1849)