The larger hoverfly species found in the UK
Hoverflies are true flies in the order Diptera. They belong to the family Syrphidae, their most characteristic features is the presence of a longitudinal false vein in the wing. In Britain there are over 270 species recorded and numbers are boosted in some species due to migration to this country. The family is divided into three sub-orders and various tribes, although classifications vary.
The larger species are often brightly coloured and very common. Many any of these have ornate body patterns, often of black and yellow, said to mimic wasps and bees but are harmless. (Birds know not to attack a bee as they will be stung but observations using a tame spotted flycatcher, showed that hoverfly mimicry did not fool it – this bird could distinguish between bees and the black and yellow Syrphinae, readily eating the hoverflies.)
Like many other flies, males and females often look alike, having the same colouring, size etc. Exceptions are found especially among the drone flies, where females differ from the males. In some species it is possible to sex them as males have bigger eyes which come closer together at the top of the head, whle the females have much smaller eyes, placed farther apart.
Very few hoverfly species have long accepted common names. Unfortunately in recent years there was a move to introduce common names to species in an attempt to popularise them. This has now probably complicated the issue as some species now have a variety of, largely inappropriate, vernacular names which are not always widely known and agreed by all. For this reason we have used the scientific names (everyone agrees on these!), but mentioned the vernacular names for some of them.
We illustrate some of the larger hoverflies which can be most easily identified from external characteristics, although in some cases related species are difficult to tell apart without close examination. For a few species, most notably those in the genus Sphaerophoria, it is necessary to refer to the genitalia to confirm the identification and the identification is often very difficult in the large genus Cheilosia, which are mainly black hoverflies.
Known as a common drone fly. Differs from E. Pertinax by having broad dark facial stripe and dark front tarsi.
Known as a common drone fly. Facial stripe
similar to E. tenax but has a narrower facial stripe
This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females differ in colour. The males have a reddish brown tail whereas the females have a white tail.
Sometimes known as a hornet hoverfly
The name 'pellucid' literally means translucently clear and in a certain light you can see right through its middle.
Has a cream band around its middle as does Volucella pellucens. The confusion means either species can be called by the vernacular name 'Great Pied Hoverfly'.
adult female, both sexes are often seen in woodland edges on Umbellifers. The females have distinctive blue bands on abdomen
female
Myathropa florea
Myathropa are rather variable in size, shape and colour.
It is associated with a wide variety of waterbodies, Its scientific name means from the Greek helo-, 'marsh', -phil, 'love'. It is the commonest Helophilus species in Britain.
There are two Rhingia species in Britain and both are very similar. One of our most distinctive hoverflies. With its long snout, it can only be confused with the rarer R. rostrata.
A widespread and often common species of swampy water margins and ditches.
Differs from C. Festivum by having straight yellow bands on tergites 2 & 4. Restricted to Southern counties and Channel Islands
A large and conspicuous hoverfly of boggy habitats, especially in the north and west of Britain. It has yellow bands, yellow fringing around thorax. and dark scutellum. Sometimes called the bog hoverfly.
Sometimes known as a white-barred peat hoverfly. Whitish bands and red scutellum
This species is known as the marmalade hoverfly. Many migrate to Britain each Summer.
A species associated with wetlands, ponds and ditches. The larvae have been recorded living in the basal sheaths of Typha. Sometimes know as the tooth-thighed Hoverfly
A very common species with very distinctive broad hind femora.
Old woodland species. The larvae feed in damp, fungus-ridden decaying wood of Abies, Fagus and Quercus trunks and stumps, usually beneath the bark.
Like other flies, hoverflies go through all stages of insect life: egg-larva-pupa-imago. The larvae of hoverflies are remarkably diverse for just one family of flies. Some have adapted to aquatic life in extremely dirty water (including stagnant), eating all kinds of decaying materials. In order to breathe they developed a long pipe at the rear end of the body, which they stick into the air. Examples include the rat-tailed maggots (about 40 species). Other larvae hunt for plant lice or aphids. Over one third of hoverflies have larvae that eat aphids (over 110 species). Some live in decaying wood, or sap runs on live trees (33 species).