Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Syrphus fly \Syr"phus fly`\ [NL. Syrphus, the generic name, fr.
   Gr. ?, ?, a kind of winged insect.] (Zo["o]l.)
   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 larv[ae] feed
   upon plant lice, and are, therefore, very beneficial to
   agriculture.