syrnium

[Etym. doubtful.] Ornith.: A genus of Syrniinse (q. v.). The type is Syrnium aluco , or Aluco flammea, the Tawny Owl. [STRIX, 2.] *syr-op, s . [SYRUP.] syr-phi-dæ, s. pl. [Lat. syrph (us); Lat. fem. pl. adj. suff. -idœ.] Entom.: A family of Diptera, tribe A the ricer a (having the antenne of three joints, the apical one with a bristle). The Syrphide have the antennal bristle finely feathered; the eyes are large, meeting in the males; the ocelli three; proboscis generally short, the terminal lobes fleshy, Inclosing three bristles; palpi small, with one joint; abdomen flattened, with five segments; tarsi with two pulvilli Smooth or hairy insects, often seen hovering almost without motion over the flowers of Composites or other plants, some of them looking like bees, from which they may at once be distinguished by their having only two wings, and being destitute of a sting. The species are numerous, and the larve diverse in habits. Most of the latter feed on the roots or bulbs of plants, or live in decaying wood, mud, or sewers, or in the water, or as parasites in the nests of wasps and humble bees, or crawling over plants in quest of Aphides. Genera more than forty, and among them Syrphus, Volucella, Eristalis, Helo phil us, . syr-phŭs, subst. [Gr. syrphos, serphos=a small winged insect, perhaps a gnat or an ant.] Entom.: The typical genus of Syrphidae (q. v.). The larvæ feed on aphides. One of the most com mon is Syrphus pyrastri , a blue-black fly, with whitish or yellowish transverse bands on the abdomen, black thighs, and yellowish legs. It is sometimes mistaken for a wasp. The larve is a footle grub, living on plants infested by aphides.