Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Eristalinae
Length: typically 5-6 mm
This fly with the odd eyes ranges from Ontario and Maine south to Texas and Georgia. It is also found in California and Washington. In the more central part of its range, including West Virginia, it is most commonly seen May to October.
The pattern of eye squiggles is fairly uniform from individual to individual. Interestingly, the other members of genus Orthonevra lack these hieroglyphic markings.
Insects of West Virginia