ExploreInsects

Hover Flies

Syrphidae

Hover flies are small, friendly insects that look like tiny bees. They love to fly around flowers and help plants by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Hover Flies has a stout, often furry body with bright yellow and black stripes, making them look a lot like bees or wasps. They possess large, compound eyes and a single pair of clear wings, setting them apart from four-winged insects.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidae
Hover Flies
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Hover Flies

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Many hover fly larvae are incredible aphid hunters, eating hundreds in their short lives!

Some hover fly species can even fly backward or upside down with amazing aerial skill!

They are completely harmless to humans; they cannot sting or bite!

Unlike bees or wasps, hover flies only have one pair of wings, not two!

Special abilities

Ability

Master of Mid-Air

Hover Flies can hover perfectly still, fly backward, and dart rapidly because they have specialized wing muscles that allow incredibly precise flight control.

Ability

Pest Patrol Larvae

Hover Flies have larvae that are voracious predators of aphids and other soft-bodied pests, helping gardeners protect their plants naturally.

Ability

Clever Disguise

Hover Flies can mimic the appearance of stinging bees and wasps because their striped patterns and fuzzy bodies trick predators into staying away.

Ability

Flower Friend

Hover Flies can effectively pollinate many flowers because they visit blooms for nectar and pollen, transferring it between plants.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
8-50 mm
Size
4-25 mm
Lifespan
7-30 days
Flight Speed
10 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar and pollen; larvae feast on plant pests like aphids!

Age differences: Adults feed on nectar and pollen; larvae are typically predatory on aphids or detritivorous.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Aphids
  • Mealybugs
  • Decaying organic matter

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Wild Carrot

Daucus carota

Transfers pollen while feeding on flowers.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

A common bird predator of adult hover flies.

hunts

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

Larvae prey on these common garden pests.

eaten by

Black and Yellow Garden Spider

Argiope aurantia

Often caught in spider webs while flying.

Traits

Also known as

Syrphid Fly

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Hover flies are friendly and safe, but always be gentle around insects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hover Flies's wingspan?

8-50 mm

How big is Hover Flies?

4-25 mm

How long does Hover Flies live?

7-30 days

How fast can Hover Flies fly?

10 km/h

What does Hover Flies eat?

Adults sip nectar and pollen; larvae feast on plant pests like aphids!

Where is Hover Flies usually found?

Urban areas

How does Hover Flies hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Hover Flies have?

6

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