# Sun Fly (*Helophilus pendulus*) The Sun Fly is a friendly insect that looks like a little bee! It loves to fly around flowers, helping them grow by spreading pollen. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Flower Fly, Hover Fly ![Sun Fly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Helophilus_pendulus_%28Kalmthout%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helophilus_pendulus_%28Kalmthout%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Sun Fly is a robust hoverfly with a dark, hairy thorax and a distinctive yellow and black striped abdomen, making it look much like a small bee. It has clear wings and often features yellowish or orangish legs. This mimicry helps it blend in visually. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Syrphidae - **Genus:** Helophilus ## Interesting facts - Its baby stage, called a larva, has a funny 'rat-tail' that can stretch super long! - Some sun fly larvae are super tough, even living in really dirty water! - Sun flies are expert fliers, able to zip around quickly and even fly backward! - These amazing insects are often confused with bees, but they don't sting at all! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Breath-Taker:** Sun Fly larvae have a long, snorkel-like breathing tube that helps them breathe air while living underwater in muddy puddles. - **Air Ballet Dancer:** Sun Fly can hover perfectly still in the air because of its agile wing movements, helping them spot flowers or mates. - **Flower's Best Friend:** Sun Fly helps plants grow by carrying pollen from flower to flower as it feeds, aiding in plant reproduction. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-22 mm - **Size:** 9-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-21 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Sun Flies drink sweet nectar and pollen, while their larvae eat decaying plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume decaying organic matter in water, whereas adults feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Decaying plant matter, Algae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Adults collect nectar and pollen from its flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Barn Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-swallow) (*Hirundo rustica*) — These birds capture adult Sun Flies in flight for food. - **Depends on:** Broadleaf Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — Larvae thrive in the muddy water found near this wetland plant. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [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 Sun Flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sun 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 Sun Fly's wingspan? 15-22 mm ### How big is Sun Fly? 9-12 mm ### How long does Sun Fly live? 7-21 days ### What does Sun Fly eat? Adult Sun Flies drink sweet nectar and pollen, while their larvae eat decaying plants. ### Where is Sun Fly usually found? Urban areas ### How does Sun Fly hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Sun Fly have? 6 ## 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: [Sun Fly: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sun-fly)