Thick-Legged Hover Fly
ExploreInsects
Thick-Legged Hover Fly
syritta pipiens
The Thick-Legged Hover Fly (Syritta pipiens) is a small, energetic, and highly common hoverfly species found globally. Often mistaken for a tiny wasp or bee due to its yellow-and-black coloration, this harmless insect is a fantastic garden helper. It spends its adult life darting between flowers, hovering in place with incredible precision, and feeding on pollen and nectar. Unlike many other hoverflies, it has noticeably swollen hind femora (thighs) lined with tiny spines, which give it its distinctive common name and unique silhouette.
Habitat: Found in a wide range of open environments, including suburban gardens, urban parks, meadows, and agricultural fields, typically near decaying organic material or flowering plants.
Appearance
This small fly measures about 7 to 9 millimeters in length with a slender, elongated abdomen marked by orange-yellow spots or bars on a dark background. Its most defining physical trait is the dramatically swollen and thickened hind femur, which features a row of small black spines on the underside. Its face is covered in a silvery-white dust, and it possesses large, dark compound eyes that meet at the top of the head in males. Its wings are clear and lack complex patterning, extending straight along the body when at rest.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusSyritta
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite their wasp-like appearance, they have only one pair of wings and are completely incapable of stinging or biting.
Males are highly territorial and will aggressively chase away other insects, including much larger flies, from their sunny backyard perches.
They are among the most globally widespread hoverfly species, having been accidentally introduced to many regions via soil and compost transport.
Special abilities
Ability
Precision Hovering
Using rapid wingbeats of up to 300 times per second, they can hover perfectly motionless in mid-air and instantly change direction.
Ability
Batesian Mimicry
They possess yellow-and-black abdominal markings resembling stinging wasps, deterring potential predators despite being completely harmless.
Ability
Spiny Thigh Grasp
The swollen, spiny hind femora allow males to firmly grip females during mating flights, securing their partner in mid-air.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 1 cm
- Wingspan
- 1-2 cm
- Weight
- 0.00001-0.00003 kg
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 50+
- Incubation
- 2-4 days
Diet & Feeding
Adults feed on flower nectar and pollen for energy, while the larvae feed on bacteria found within decaying organic matter.
Age differences: Larvae are saprophagous detritivores feeding on bacteria in wet decomposing material, whereas adults are strictly nectar- and pollen-feeders.
Primary Foods
- Flower nectar
- Pollen
- Decomposing plant matter
- Manure-associated bacteria
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Adult hover flies are caught in mid-air by insectivorous birds like swallows.
mutualism
Wild Carrot
Daucus carota
Adult flies feed on nectar and pollen, transferring pollen between flowers in the process.
competitor
House Fly
Musca domestica
Larvae compete for decaying organic matter and bacterial food sources in compost and manure piles.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Thick-Legged Hover Fly?
The easiest way to identify Thick-Legged Hover Fly is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Thick-Legged Hover Fly?
1 cm
What is Thick-Legged Hover Fly's wingspan?
1-2 cm
How much does Thick-Legged Hover Fly weigh?
0.00001-0.00003 kg
How fast can Thick-Legged Hover Fly move?
15 km/h
What does Thick-Legged Hover Fly eat?
Adults feed on flower nectar and pollen for energy, while the larvae feed on bacteria found within decaying organic matter.
Where is Thick-Legged Hover Fly usually found?
Found in a wide range of open environments, including suburban gardens, urban parks, meadows, and agricultural fields, typically near decaying organic material or flowering plants.
How does Thick-Legged Hover Fly hunt?
Foraging
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