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Hoverflies are a family of flies, many of which (though not all) have a yellow and black colour pattern in order to mimic bees and wasps. Whilst they are totally harmless, by resembling insects that can sting they hope to put off predators. Hoverflies only have one pair of wings so can be distinguished from bees and wasps which have two pairs. They feed on nectar and pollen so can be most easily seen visiting flowers.
Visit the NatureSpot hoverfly gallery to view all species found in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Marmalade Hoverfly - Episyrphus balteatus
This is commonest hoverfly in the UK and has been seen in every month of the year. It hibernates over the winter, emerging on warm days. Numbers are also boosted by large migrations from mainland Europe.
ID: Orange and black 'moustache' bands on the abdomen. Sometimes white bands as well.
Tapered Dronefly - Eristalis pertinax
A mimic of male bees - the drones. On the wing from March through to November. The Common Dronefly is similar but this has dark front tarsi and a broader abdomen.
ID: Dark brown with a pair of orange spots. Pale front tarsi (feet). Males have a tapering abdomen.
Batman Hoverfly - Myathropa florea
This attractive hoverfly gets its common name from the dark shape on its thorax - which resembles the famous batman symbol. It flies from May through to October and is a regular visitor to flowers.
ID: Black with orange spots and a 'halo' of yellow hairs around the body. 'Batman' mark on the thorax.
The Footballer - Helophilus pendulus
Called 'The Footballer' due to its stripy thorax, however there are other species with similar stripes. Common around water, seen from April to November.
ID: Stripy thorax. Orange/yellow pattern on a black abdomen. Black face stripe. On the hind tibia is only the last third is black and the mid tibia is all yellow.
Pellucid Hoverfly - Volucella pellucens
Seen from May to October, this is one of the largest flies in Britain. Its larvae live in the nests of social wasps and bumblebees, eating waste products as well as the bee larvae.
ID: Ivory band across the abdomen. Dark wing patches. Brown scutellum.
Leucozona lucorum
Seen May - August. Though similar to the Pellucid Hoverfly, it is smaller and distinguished by the orange scutellum.
ID: White band across the abdomen. Dark wing patches. Yellow-orange scutellum.
Long Hoverfly - Sphaerophoria scripta
Numbers of this hoverfly are often boosted by migrants from mainland Europe. Like most ladybirds, its larvae feed on aphids. Adults feed on nectar and are common visitors to flowers.
ID: Yellow and black abdomen. Males (with eyes touching) wings are shorter than the body. Females, however, cannot be visually distinguished from other Sphaerophora species.
Rhingia campestris
On the wing April - October. There are two Rhingia species in Britain, both with a long snout. R. rostrata has a bright orange abdomen without any dark markings or stripes. The larvae breed in cow dung where they are exceedingly well camouflaged in the surface layer.
ID: Protruding snout. Orange abdomen with thin black stripes and often a central dark stripe. Dark thorax.
Thick-legged Hoverfly
Being small, this species is easy to overlook but is a common garden visitor, visiting flowers. It breeds in compost, manure and other rotting organic matter.
ID: Small, dark with small silvery patches on the abdomen. Thickened hind legs.
Hornet Hoverfly - Volucella inanis
Seen June-September (peaking in August). This species has been expanding northwards in recent years and is a striking addition to our hoverfly fauna. It is a parasite of wasp larvae, including Hornets. The similar V. zonaria has a chestnut band on the abdomen.
ID: Very large! Yellow and black markings (no chestnut). Brown thorax with thick, black lines.
NatureSpot is a registered charity which features the wildlife and wild places of Leicestershire and Rutland, helping to increase public awareness of, and interest in, local wildlife. You can view photographic galleries of over 7,000 birds, animals, plants and fungi found locally and learn how to identify different species. The public are also encouraged to submit a record of any wildlife sighting to help add to our knowledge of local species.
Guide last updated in September 2023.
