About Sericomyia lata (Coquillett, 1907)
Sericomyia lata, first described by Coquillett in 1907, is commonly called the White-spotted Pond Fly. It is a common species of syrphid fly found throughout North America, with populations concentrated in the eastern part of the continent. Syrphid flies are also referred to as Hover Flies or Flower Flies, because adult syrphids are often seen hovering around flowers, where they feed on nectar and pollen. Adult Sericomyia lata measure between 11.6–15.2 mm (0.46–0.60 in) in length. They have black bodies with large white spots on the abdomen. Larvae of the Sericomyia genus are called rat tailed maggots, named for the long posterior breathing tube they possess.
