Hoverfly

Scientific Name: Syrphidae (family)

Order & Family: Order Diptera, Family Syrphidae

Size: 4 mm to 25 mm depending on the species

Gardens, meadows, and areas with flowering plants where they can feed on nectar and pollen

Adults primarily feed on nectar and pollen; many larvae are predatory, feeding on aphids and other soft-bodied insects

Known for their ability to hover motionless in mid-air before darting away; many species mimic bees or wasps as a defense mechanism

Generally beneficial as important pollinators and natural pest controllers; they are harmless to humans as they do not sting

Identified on: 6/22/2026