About Brachypalpus oarus (Walker, 1849)
Brachypalpus oarus, commonly called the eastern catkin, is a common species of syrphid fly. It was first officially described by Walker in 1849. Hoverflies, another name for this insect group, get their name from their ability to stay nearly motionless while in flight. Adult Brachypalpus oarus are also known as flower flies, because they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae of this species are of the rat-tailed type, and feed on decaying sap under tree bark. This nearctic species is distributed across Canada and the United States, occurring mostly in Northeastern North America, with an additional population in southwestern Canada.
