 It maintains remnants of the three pairs of posterior fleshy processes from the larval stage; however, the prolegs disappear.Larval forms of "Syritta pipiens" feed on decaying organic matter.Adult flies feed on the flowers of water-willow ("Dianthera americana" L.), white vervain ("Verbena urticifolia" L.), American pokeweed ("Phytolacca decandra" L.), and candyleaf ("Stevia rebaudiana").