What is this maggot-looking insect on the bottom of this strawberry leaf?
Hover fly larva on strawberry leaf.
Tom Bilbo, ©2024, Clemson Extension
This is a hover fly larva. Hover flies (Syrphidae), also called syrphid flies, are common bee-mimicking flies that are often seen hovering around flowers and landing on your sweaty skin on a hot day (they’re attracted to the salt in your sweat). Not only is this diverse group important as pollinators, but their maggot-like immature stage are predators of many small soft-bodied insects. They are most commonly thought of as predators of aphids, but they will also feed on mites, whiteflies, thrips, and other small pest species. Research conducted in CA has shown that planting sweet alyssum flowers in organic lettuce fields will increase syrphid fly abundance and consequently suppress lettuce aphids.
A syrphid fly egg (looks like a grain of rice) laid directly on top of a turnip aphid.
Tom Bilbo, ©2024, Clemson Extension
A syrphid fly larva grasping and feeding on a turnip aphid. The aphid is beginning to shrivel from having the contents of its body consumed.
Tom Bilbo, ©2024, Clemson Extension
