Syrphus fly \Syr"phus fly`\ [NL. Syrphus, the generic name, fr.
Gr. ?, ?, 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.
[1913 Webster]