# Hornet Mimic Hover Fly (*Volucella zonaria*) The Hornet Mimic Hover Fly looks like a hornet but is actually a friendly fly! It can hover in the air like a tiny helicopter and loves to visit flowers to drink sweet nectar. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Hornet Mimic Fly ![Hornet Mimic Hover Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/This_Is_Not_A_Hornet_%28Explored_25.08.15%29_%2820826634011%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: AJC1 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:This_Is_Not_A_Hornet_%28Explored_25.08.15%29_%2820826634011%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Hornet Mimic Hover Fly has a large, fuzzy yellow and black striped body, closely resembling a hornet. It features large reddish-brown eyes and transparent wings that help it appear more like a stinging insect, distinguishing it from other flies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Volucella ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, this fly cannot sting at all! - It helps pollinate flowers just like a busy bee! - Its larvae are sneaky house guests in wasp nests. - This amazing fly can fly backward and sideways with ease. ## Special abilities - **Hornet Disguise:** Hornet Mimic Hover Fly can perfectly mimic a hornet's look because of its bold yellow and black stripes, deterring predators. - **Acrobatic Hovering:** Hornet Mimic Hover Fly can fly in place like a tiny helicopter because of its powerful wings, allowing it to sip nectar easily. - **Wasp Nest Infiltrator:** Hornet Mimic Hover Fly has larvae that live in hornet and wasp nests, feeding on detritus or dead larvae, helping them survive safely. - **Flower Friend:** Hornet Mimic Hover Fly can spread pollen between flowers as it feeds on nectar, helping plants reproduce. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 15-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink nectar and pollen, while larvae are detritivores or scavengers in wasp and hornet nests. - **Age differences:** Yes, adults feed on nectar and pollen, while larvae are detritivores living inside social insect nests. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, detritus, dead wasp larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Butterfly Bush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/butterfly-bush) (*Buddleja davidii*) — It sips nectar from its flowers, moving pollen. - **Symbiotic with:** [European Hornet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hornet) (*Vespa crabro*) — Its larvae live inside their nests, often as scavengers. - **Symbiotic with:** Common Wasp (*Vespula vulgaris*) — Larvae develop in their nests, feeding on detritus and dead larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Though mimicking hornets, some birds still try to eat it. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't worry, this fly is friendly and won't sting you! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hornet Mimic Hover Fly? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Hornet Mimic Hover Fly's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Hornet Mimic Hover Fly? 15-22 mm ### How long does Hornet Mimic Hover Fly live? 15-30 days ### How fast can Hornet Mimic Hover Fly fly? 12 km/h ### What does Hornet Mimic Hover Fly eat? Adults drink nectar and pollen, while larvae are detritivores or scavengers in wasp and hornet nests. ### Where is Hornet Mimic Hover Fly usually found? Urban areas ### How does Hornet Mimic Hover Fly hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Hornet Mimic Hover Fly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hornet-mimic-hover-fly)