''Orthonevra pulchella ''(Williston 1887) the Dusky Mucksucker is a fairly common species of

syrphid fly Hover flies, also called flower flies or syrphid flies, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while ...

. It has been observed from across northern North America (see map). Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving

nectar Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries or nectarines, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal mutualists ...

and protein-rich

pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametophyt ...

. Larvae for this genus are of the rat-tailed type. ''O. pulchella'' larvae have not been described.

References

Hoverflies of North America Brachyopini Articles created by Qbugbot Insects described in 1887 Taxa named by Samuel Wendell Williston {{Brachyopini-stub