Hover Flies - Larvae

Hover flies are beneficial predatory insects that feed on aphids, thrips and small caterpillars. Adults are small 3/8 to 3/4 inch long) and resemble small bees or wasps with short antennae and large eyes. Adults lay eggs that resemble a small grain of rice. The eggs hatch into small legless larvae, tapered and sluglike (as seen here) that feed upon aphids, thrips and small caterpillars.