Flower Fly

The harmless Flower Fly mimics a more unsavory wasp, making life a bit easier by taking advantage of an aggressive reputation.

This fly looks like a wasp and is a fine mimic, but despite a similar physical appearance and even flight behavior, the Flower Fly is just a fly. It does not have a stinger and is not venomous. In fact, it is a wonderful pollinator and a benefit to gardens and farms. This particular species' larvae feed on aphids - tiny insects that siphon plant juices. Because of that, Flower Flies help keep aphid populations low, which translates to healthier plants and flowers.

The dramatic black and yellow coloration on this Flower Fly wards off would-be predators. Upon closer examination, one can see there is no stinger at the tip of the abdomen. The Flower Fly can also hover over flowers and people, just like wasps, so that behavior led to them being called Hover Flies in Europe. They are common in the central and western regions of North America. They can also be found in Africa.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Diptera

Family: Syrphidae

Genus: Scaeva

Species: pyrastri

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Scaeva pyrastri

Other Name(s): Wasp Mimic, Hover Fly

Category: Fly or Mosquito

Size (Adult; Length): 8mm to 20mm (0.31in to 0.78in)

Colors: black; white; yellow

Descriptors: bee, wasp, flying, harmless

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Flower Fly (Scaeva pyrastri)

The harmless Flower Fly mimics a more unsavory wasp, making life a bit easier by taking advantage of an aggressive reputation.