Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) ➔ Class Insecta (Insects) ➔ Order Diptera (True flies) ➔ Family Syrphidae (Hoverflies)

Eumerus purpurariae Baéz, 1982

  • Eumerus purpurariae, male 2871
    Eumerus purpurariae Baéz, 1982     
    Eumerus purpurariae, male, det. John Smit
    ES, Fuerteventura, Costa Calma; 2010-03-03 10:13:55
    Image number: 2871
    male
    ES, Fuerteventura, Costa Calma
    2010-03-03 10:13:55
    det. John Smit
  • Eumerus purpurariae, male 2872
    Eumerus purpurariae Baéz, 1982     
    Eumerus purpurariae, male, det. John Smit
    ES, Fuerteventura, Costa Calma; 2010-03-03 10:13:18
    Image number: 2872
    male
    ES, Fuerteventura, Costa Calma
    2010-03-03 10:13:18
    det. John Smit

Classification:
Eumerus purpurariae belongs to the subfamily Eristalinae, tribe Eumerini (=Merodontini).
Distribution:
Canary Islands
Habitat:
Description:
Biology:
Imagines, larvae and pupae of Eumerus purpurariae can be found throughout the year. Oviposition takes place from early to late spring (February-June) and in autumn (September-November). A known food plant of the larvae is Opuntia maxima. The larvae develop inside decaying platyclades (Platyclades are green, flatly broadened long shoots, which allow photosynthesis in plants with reduced leaves.). Infested platyclades generally contain numerous larvae. Puparia can often be found inside old dried platyclades, where the decay process is over, and on the surrounding ground. The pupal period lasts about 19 - 25 days.

References, further reading, links:
  1. Perez-Banon C., Marcos-Garcia A.: Life history and description of the immature stages of Eumerus purpurariae (Diptera: Syrphidae) developing in Opuntia maxima, Eur. J. Entomol. 95 (3): 373-382, 1998