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Marmalade Hover Fly

Episyrphus balteatus

The Marmalade Hover Fly is a small, friendly insect that looks like a bee! It loves to fly around flowers and helps plants by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Marmalade Hover Fly is a small, bee-mimicking insect with a bright orange and black striped abdomen, much like marmalade. It has large reddish-brown eyes and clear, delicate wings. Its clever mimicry makes it look like a stinging wasp or bee to predators.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusEpisyrphus
Marmalade Hover Fly
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Marmalade Hover Fly

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby hover flies look like tiny slugs and are super hungry for aphids.

Some hover flies migrate thousands of kilometers, crossing continents!

They don't have mouths for biting, only a soft tube for sipping nectar.

This fly can fly backwards, just like a tiny helicopter in reverse!

Special abilities

Ability

Aerial Acrobat

Marmalade Hover Fly can hover perfectly still in mid-air, then dart off rapidly, helping them dodge danger and find flowers.

Ability

Pest Control Pal

Marmalade Hover Fly larvae can gobble up hundreds of garden aphids, which helps plants stay healthy and grow strong.

Ability

Nature's Pollinator

Marmalade Hover Fly visits many flowers, collecting pollen on its fuzzy body that helps plants make new seeds.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
12-18 mm
Size
7-12 mm
Lifespan
10-30 days
Flight Speed
10 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet nectar and pollen for energy, while their larvae are fierce hunters of tiny plant pests.

Age differences: Adults feed on nectar and pollen; larvae are carnivorous, preying on soft-bodied insects like aphids.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • aphids
  • mealybugs
  • thrips

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Marmalade Fly

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These flies are friendly and won't sting, so you can watch them safely!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Marmalade Hover Fly's wingspan?

12-18 mm

How big is Marmalade Hover Fly?

7-12 mm

How long does Marmalade Hover Fly live?

10-30 days

How fast can Marmalade Hover Fly fly?

10 km/h

What does Marmalade Hover Fly eat?

Adults sip sweet nectar and pollen for energy, while their larvae are fierce hunters of tiny plant pests.

Where is Marmalade Hover Fly usually found?

Urban areas

How does Marmalade Hover Fly hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Marmalade Hover Fly have?

6

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Where to spot

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