A hummingbird fly is a type of insect that resembles a hummingbird. Despite its name, the hummingbird fly is not actually a bird or related to hummingbirds. Instead, it is a fly that belongs to the genus Baccha and family Syrphidae.
Physical Characteristics
Hummingbird flies get their name from their resemblance to hummingbirds. They have long slender bodies and wings that allow them to hover and fly like hummingbirds. Their bodies are usually 0.5 to 1 inch long. They have large eyes and short antennae. Their wings are usually clear or cloudy colored.
The most distinguishing feature of hummingbird flies are their wings. Their wings allow them to hover in place and fly in any direction, just like hummingbirds. Their wings beat very fast, up to 70 times per second, which creates the humming sound that gives them their name.
Hummingbird flies come in many different colors, allowing them to mimic different species of hummingbirds. Some common colors include green, blue, orange, red, black, and yellow. The level of iridescence on their bodies also varies depending on species. Their slender bodies and long thin legs also contribute to their resemblance to hummingbirds.
Behavior
Hummingbird flies display very similar behavior to hummingbirds. As their name suggests, they are able to hover in midair by rapidly moving their wings back and forth. They can also fly backwards, upside down, and in any direction. This level of agility allows them to drink nectar from flowers while hovering right next to them.
Hummingbird flies are most active during the daytime, especially in bright sunshine when flowers are blooming. They feed on nectar from flowers using their long slender mouthparts called a proboscis. Their diet consists entirely of nectar and pollen.
While feeding, they play an important role in pollination, carrying pollen from flower to flower as they feed. Their wings also create the familiar humming sound as they beat rapidly to hover. This sound is made by their flight muscles vibrating at high frequencies.
Male hummingbird flies are very territorial. They will defend a particular patch of flowers against intruders. Females do not display territorial behavior. Hummingbird flies do not sting or bite and are harmless to humans.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of hummingbird flies begins when females lay eggs on plants, usually on leaves and stems. The eggs are very small and white. When the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge. Hummingbird fly larvae are legless maggots. Their bodies are tapered on both ends. The larval stage is a feeding and growth stage during which the larvae increase dramatically in size.
Larvae feed on soft-bodied insects like aphids, thrips, and spider mites. Some species are predatory while others feed on decaying plant material. After going through several molts, the larvae reach full size at about 1/2 inch long. They then attach to a solid surface using a sticky substance they secrete and pupate.
The pupal stage transitions the larva into the winged adult form. This stage lasts 1-2 weeks. When ready, the adult hummingbird fly emerges from the pupal case. The newly emerged adult has soft, wrinkled wings. As fluid is pumped into the wings, they slowly expand and harden into their final shape.
Once their wings are ready, the adult hummingbird flies are ready to take flight and begin feeding on nectar. Adults live for several weeks to a few months. During this time, they focus on feeding, finding mates and reproducing. Females lay eggs and the cycle repeats.
Habitat
Hummingbird flies are found worldwide, distributed across North America, Europe, Asia, and Central America. They are most abundant in temperate climates. You can find them in many types of habitats, but they prefer open meadows, fields, gardens, and along the edges of forests where flowers are present.
They require nectar-producing flowers to feed on such as columbines, honeysuckles, lantana, milkweed, and catmint. Any habitat with a good source of flowers will attract hummingbird flies. They also rely on water sources to drink while feeding.
Classification
Hummingbird flies belong to the following classifications:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Diptera
- Family: Syrphidae
- Genus: Baccha
- Species: Multiple including B. elongata, B. lorigera, B. flavifrons, etc.
There are over 160 described species of Baccha worldwide. Some of the most common species include the Eastern bumblebee fly (B. elongata), the Western bumblebee fly (B. lorigera), and the Dusky bumblebee fly (B. flavifrons).
Key Takeaways
- Hummingbird flies are a type of fly that mimic hummingbirds in appearance and behavior.
- They have long slender bodies, wings that allow hovering, and come in iridescent colors that resemble hummingbirds.
- Hummingbird flies hover at flowers to drink nectar, playing an important role as pollinators.
- Larvae feed on insects while adults feed only on nectar from flowers.
- They are found worldwide in habitats that provide nectar sources such as meadows and gardens.
- Over 160 species belong to the genus Baccha.
Interesting Facts
- The wings of hummingbird flies beat up to 70 times per second, allowing them to precisely hover.
- Their flight muscles account for 20-35% of their total body weight.
- Some species can fly up to 6 miles per hour and are very maneuverable.
- Their wings rotate almost 180 degrees during each beat, compared to 90 degrees in many other insects.
- Males are very territorial and will chase each other from flower patches.
- In cold climates, adult hummingbird flies live only days or weeks.
- Polarized light reflects off their wings, producing colorful patterns during flight.
Why Do They Resemble Hummingbirds?
There are a few key reasons why hummingbird flies evolved the appearance and behaviors of hummingbirds:
- Mimicry – By resembling hummingbirds, they are able to avoid predators who know to avoid the distasteful hummingbirds.
- Camouflage – Their resemblance makes them hard to distinguish from real hummingbirds, allowing them to hide in plain sight.
- Sensory exploitation – Their hummingbird-like movement, sounds, and appearance take advantage of pollinators adapted to hummingbird behaviors.
- Shared resources – Mimicking hummingbirds allows them to exploit flower resources adapted for hummingbird pollination.
So in short, natural selection favored hummingbird flies that could successfully mimic hummingbird appearance and behavior because it improved their survival rates and ability to access food sources.
What Do They Eat?
The diet of hummingbird flies consists primarily of nectar and pollen from flowers. Their mouthparts allow them to slurp up liquid nectar while the hairs on their body collect pollen:
- Nectar – Provides carbohydrates in the form of sugars and energy.
- Pollen – Provides protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Some key facts about their diet:
- Adults feed exclusively on nectar and pollen from flowering plants.
- They prefer nectar from tubular and funnel shaped flowers.
- Common nectar sources include honeysuckle, lantana, columbine, salvia.
- Larvae prey on soft-bodied insects like aphids.
- Some larvae feed on decaying plant material.
- Adults ingest equivalent of 1/2 their body weight in nectar daily.
- Sugary nectar provides quick energy for flight.
The types of flowers they feed on depends on their proboscis length. Long proboscis species can feed from flowers with deeper tubular corollas. Their ability to exploit various flower types allows them to occupy diverse habitats.
How Do They Move?
Hummingbird flies are incredible flyers and hoverers:
- They can fly in any direction – up, down, forward, backward, sideways.
- They hover in one place by rapidly beating their wings up to 70 times per second.
- They are highly maneuverable and agile in flight.
- They can reach speeds of up to 12 miles per hour.
- Their wings rotate almost 180 degrees during each beat.
- They generate lift on both upstroke and downstroke.
Several anatomical adaptations enable their specialized flight:
- Their body shape is optimized for agility and speed.
- Their wings are shaped to provide lift and control.
- Enlarged wing muscles comprise 20-35% of body weight.
- High wingbeat frequency from dedicated power muscles.
- Enhanced aerodynamic mechanisms give precision control.
This advanced flight capability allows them to efficiently hover at flowers for feeding, territorial displays, and finding mates. Their flying skills are rivaled only by hummingbirds themselves!
Are They Beneficial Insects?
Hummingbird flies provide some benefits in ecosystems:
- Pollination of flowers – Move pollen between plants as they feed on nectar.
- Natural pest control – Larvae prey on harmful insects like aphids.
- Food for other animals – Serve as prey for birds, spiders, etc.
However, they provide less pollination services compared to bees and have minor pest control impacts. They are not considered a major beneficial insect but do contribute in small ways.
Potential drawbacks include:
- Minor damage to plants – Females may lay eggs on leaves and stems.
- Spread of fungus – Can transmit yeast fungi between flowers.
- Accidental pollination – May pollinate invasive or unwanted plants.
Overall, hummingbird flies are neutral insects that provide some small benefits but do not play a major role. Their biggest contribution is likely their beauty, uniqueness, and interesting place in ecological communities.
Threats and Conservation
Hummingbird flies face a few threats to their survival:
- Habitat loss – Logging, agriculture, and urbanization destroys natural areas.
- Pesticides – Can be toxic to larvae and adults.
- Introduced species – Displace native pollinators.
- Climate change – Alters distribution of flower species.
However, none of the species are considered threatened or endangered currently. Measures that would help protect their populations include:
- Preserving natural meadows, prairies, and diverse floral habitats.
- Limiting pesticide use in gardens and agricultural areas.
- Controlling invasive plants that disrupt native ecosystems.
- Creating corridors between habitat patches for migration.
More research is needed to fully understand their population status and implement conservation practices specifically for hummingbird flies and their habitats.
Key Facts and Summary
To summarize key points:
- Hummingbird flies are species of fly in the genus Baccha that mimic hummingbirds.
- They have slender bodies, long wings, and hover at flowers to drink nectar.
- Larvae are predators or eat decaying plant material.
- Adults sip nectar and play a minor role in pollination.
- They are found worldwide in temperate habitats with flowers.
- Mimicking hummingbirds provides them advantages for accessing food sources.
- They contribute small ecosystem services but are mostly neutral.
- Conservation should focus on preserving diverse floral habitats.
In conclusion, hummingbird flies are a unique and fascinating insect that occupies an interesting ecological niche as clever mimics of their namesake, the hummingbird.
References
- Borkent, A., & Schlinger, E. I. (2008). Flower-visiting and mating behavior of Eulonchus smaragdinus (Diptera: Acroceridae), with notes on the flower associates of Eulonchus. Zootaxa.
- Hill, M., & Bartlett, C. R. (2016). Floral visitation by the bumblebee-mimicking syrphid fly Eristalis viduae. Journal of pollination ecology, 18(5), 19-26.
- Moran, J. A., Hawkins, B. A., & Whittingham, M. J. (2021). Hummingbird pollination and the diversification of angiosperms. Trends in ecology & evolution, 36(2), 156-166.
- Rashed, A., Khan, M. I., Dawson, J. W., Yack, J. E., & Sherratt, T. N. (2009). Do hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) sound like the Hymenoptera they morphologically resemble?. Behavioral Ecology, 20(2), 396-402.
- Reemer, M. (2018). Review and phylogenetic evaluation of associations between Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) and ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). PeerJ, 6, e5810.