ExploreInsects

White-bowed Smoothwing

Scaeva affinis

The White-bowed Smoothwing is a friendly-looking fly with a bright, shiny body. It loves to buzz around flowers and helps plants by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The White-bowed Smoothwing is a medium-sized hoverfly with a black body marked by distinctive arc-shaped yellow bands on its abdomen, creating a 'bow' pattern. Its head features large reddish-brown eyes, and it has clear, iridescent wings. This fly lacks the thin 'waist' of a wasp or bee, making it visually different despite its mimicry.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilySyrphidaeGenusScaeva
White-bowed Smoothwing
social trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
White-bowed Smoothwing

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Its large eyes are made of thousands of tiny lenses for amazing all-around vision.

These harmless flies are often mistaken for stinging wasps or bees!

Wow, this little fly can actually fly backwards or even upside down!

Young White-bowed Smoothwings look like tiny, legless green slugs.

Special abilities

Ability

Master of Disguise

White-bowed Smoothwing has a yellow and black striped body that helps them look like a stinging bee, scaring away predators.

Ability

Aerial Acrobat

White-bowed Smoothwing can hover perfectly still in the air because of its powerful wing muscles, letting them spot flowers or mates easily.

Ability

Aphid Muncher

Its larvae are incredible aphid predators, eating many tiny garden pests that helps protect plants and crops.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
18-25 mm
Size
8-12 mm
Lifespan
15-30 days
Flight Speed
12 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet nectar and pollen, while their young feast on tiny plant pests.

Age differences: Adults consume nectar and pollen; larvae are predatory, hunting aphids and other soft-bodied insects.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • aphids
  • mealybugs
  • small soft-bodied insects

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These flies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is White-bowed Smoothwing's wingspan?

18-25 mm

How big is White-bowed Smoothwing?

8-12 mm

How long does White-bowed Smoothwing live?

15-30 days

How fast can White-bowed Smoothwing fly?

12 km/h

What does White-bowed Smoothwing eat?

Adults sip sweet nectar and pollen, while their young feast on tiny plant pests.

Where is White-bowed Smoothwing usually found?

Urban areas

How does White-bowed Smoothwing hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does White-bowed Smoothwing have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects