About Temnostoma balyras (Walker, 1849)
Temnostoma balyras (Walker, 1849), commonly called the Yellow-haired Falsehorn, is a widespread species of syrphid fly found in the eastern half of the United States and adjacent regions of Canada. Like other hoverflies, members of this species can stay nearly motionless while in flight. Adult individuals of this species are also referred to as flower flies, because they are frequently found on flowers, where they collect energy-providing nectar and protein-rich pollen for nourishment. The larvae of this species burrow through moist decaying wood. They use hook-shaped structures as rasping organs, which are moved back and forth by large muscles located in the mesothorax and metathorax. The larvae of Temnostoma balyras were first formally described by Heiss in the publication "A classification of the larvae and puparia of the Syrphidae of Illinois exclusive of aquatic forms". This species is distributed across Canada and the United States.
