Insect · GBIF taxon 1540915
Oblique Streaktail
Allograpta obliquaAlso known as Oblique Syrphid Fly, Oblique Flower Fly
Oblique streaktails are agile hoverflies readily recognized by their distinctive yellow abdominal bands and angled rear stripes that resemble chevron markings. Adults hover motionless midair before darting toward flowers to feed on nectar and pollen, mimicking stinging wasps to deter potential predators. Females actively seek out aphid colonies to deposit their eggs, producing voracious green larvae that consume hundreds of agricultural pests before pupating.
PollinatorBeneficial InsectDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Aphids
- Nectar
- Pollen
Predators
- Crab Spiders
- Dragonflies
- Insectivorous Birds
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticide applications and loss of flowering vegetation
HabitatsMeadows, gardens, agricultural fields, forest edges, and grasslands
Life span2–6 weeks as adults
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySyrphidae
- SpeciesAllograpta obliqua
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless wasp mimic incapable of stinging; safe to observe closely.
Responsible observation
- Flower Spotting: Look for adults hovering over shallow, open flowers like aster, coreopsis, and alyssum.
- Larval Search: Examine aphid-infested stems to find slug-like green larvae feeding during peak daylight.
Prey no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh · cc0
Model (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
Same Family no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh · cc0
Same Family (c) Drepanostoma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Drepanostoma · cc-by
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