This hover fly, also known as a syrphid fly, can be found in many states including Indiana. Although they look somewhat like a sweat bee or the larger yellow jacket wasp, these flies do not sting.

ABOVE: A syrphid fly, a wasp mimic using front legs as antennae. BELOW: A hawkmoth on beebalm (Monarda fistulosa).

The syrphid fly’s claim to fame lies in its uncanny ability to hover motionless in the air. This astonishing exhibition usually takes place above flowers, which the adult seeks for its new diet ...

This Bee Look-Alike Has No Sting August 27, 2021 Hover fly; Photo: John Obermeyer Hover flies (a.k.a. syrphid flies) are prevalent this time of year, as they have been in many previous years, and they ...

Syrphid flies mimic bees with their coloring. They also can act as pollinators.

Syrphid flies' bee-like colors probably help them avoid predators who are afraid of getting stung, but they are true flies with two wings as opposed to bees which have four.

PULLMAN, Wash. - A tiny bee imposter, the syrphid fly, may be a big help to some gardens and farms, new research from Washington State University shows. An observational study in Western ...

Last week, I wrote about syrphid flies, those harmless bee impostors flitting about late-summer blooms. I mentioned that several people had told me they were locally referred to as sweat bees ...

Research Highlights Best Plants to Attract Important Pest Predators (Beyond Pesticides, May 3, 2023) New research is highlighting the best flowers to plant in order to attract syrphid flies (also ...

Insect-pollinated plants offer nectar as the main reward, which influences the preference of flower visitors. We describe the feeding behavior of the exotic bee Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: ...