Sphegina petiolata explained

Sphegina petiolata (Coquillett, 1910^[1]), the Long-spined Pufftail, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in eastern to central North America. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae found in accumulations of decaying sap under bark, usually in wet situations such as damp, shaded woodland and in partially submerged wood in streams and pools.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Coquillett . D.W. . New genera and species of North American Diptera . Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington . 1910 . 12 . 124–131 . 6 November 2021.
2. Rotheray . Graham . 1998 . Phylogeny of Palaearctic Syrphidae (Diptera): evidence from larval stages . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society . 127 . 1–112 . 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1999.tb01305.x .
3. Book: Skevington, Jeffrey H . 2019 . Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America. . 9780691189406 .
4. Coovert . G. A . 1977 . The Sphegina species of eastern North America. . Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. . 90 . 536–552 .