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Webster 1913 Edition


Syrphus fly

Syr′phus flyˊ

.
[NL.
Syrphus
, the generic name, fr. Gr. [GREEK], [GREEK], a kind of winged insect.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of dipterous flies of the genus
Syrphus
and allied genera. They are usually bright-colored, with yellow bands, and hover around plants. The larvae feed upon plant lice, and are, therefore, very beneficial to agriculture.