Hover Flies (Syrphid Flies)
Syrphidae
Syrphidae
The bee mimics that aren't bees. Syrphid flies wear yellow-and-black warning colors, hover expertly at flowers, and never sting because they can't — they're flies. Adults pollinate, larvae eat aphids by the hundred. A two-for-one biocontrol insect that most gardeners never notice.
How to spot one.
Only two wings (bees have four)
Large eyes touching at top of head
Hover in place with sudden darting movements — bees don't do this
Short, stubby antennae (bees have long ones)
How it lives.
Adults nectar and pollinate; females lay eggs near aphid colonies so the larvae can hunt aphids as they hatch. Larvae are legless, slug-like, and eat 30–100 aphids per day.
The spec sheet.
- Type
- Fly
- Active
- April – October
- Native to NJ
- Yes
- Conservation status
- stable
- Family
- Syrphidae
Notable species.
Species you’re most likely to see, plus any of conservation concern.
American hover flies
Syrphus, Eupeodes, Toxomerus spp.
Common in gardens; strong biocontrol on aphids
Common Drone Fly
Eristalis tenax
Naturalized non-native honey bee mimic
What it needs.
Plants this species visits, feeds on, or depends on. Names in hydrangea link to the plant’s Field Guide entry.
Dill, fennel, cilantro, Queen Anne's Lace (umbels)
Nectar source
Nectar source
Nectar source
Nectar source
Nectar source
Cornell IPM · University of Kentucky Entomology · Xerces Society