How to identify hoverflies

Midsummer is the prime time to search for hoverflies, and the 12 species illustrated here are all widespread.

Build up your garden list – even small plots can attract 20 or more species. Hoverfly numbers peak in late morning on warm, sunny days in July and August.

Many hoverflies are wasp or bee mimics. For example, some drone flies in the genus Eristalis look like honeybees, Volucella inanis resembles hornets and

V. bombylans is a very convincing bumblebee mimic. Invasions of ‘wasps’ reported by the media often turn out to be banded hoverflies in the tribe Syrphini.

Hoverfly larvae have a huge range of lifestyles. Some species develop inside bee nests, while the grubs of Xanthogramma pedissequum inhabit yellow-ant nests. Drone-fly larvae, known as rat-tailed maggots, live in ponds, compost and rotting manure, breathing through long siphons.

Some hoverflies migrate long distances, much like butterflies such as red admirals. Episyrphus balteatus is resident throughout the UK but also travels here in large numbers from continental Europe. Scaeva pyrastri is another frequent cross-Channel migrant.

All illustrations by Felicity Rose Cole

Syrphus ribessi 

One of three very similar yellow and black banded species. Produces the loud hum often heard in midsummer woods. Also seen in gardens and fields.

Xanthogramma pedissequum

Mimics wasps, with yellow triangles on first abdominal segment; dark wing marks. Grassland, mainly in south.

Marmalade hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus

Unique pattern of double black bars on each abdominal segment. Open countryside, woods and gardens.

Scaeva pyrastri

Large, with white ‘comma’ markings on black abdomen. Migrates from mainland Europe to UK gardens and open country; numbers vary annually.

Eristalis arbustorum

Medium-sized dronefly. Mimics honeybees; usually has bold orange triangles at base of abdomen. Open countryside, woods and gardens.

Tapered drone-fly Eristalis pertinax

Large drone-fly. Mimics honeybees. Yellow-tipped front and middle legs. Open country, woods and gardens.

Eristalis intricarius (male)

Furry bumblebee mimic. Sexes are unusually well differentiated: tail is white in male and reddish in female. Gardens and open countryside.

Helophilus pendulus

Yellow-striped thorax. Gardens, open country and woods. Breeds in ponds, compost and manure. H. Hybridus is a very similar wetland species.

Volucella inanis

Large. Mimics hornets; the similar V. zonaria is even larger and rustier. Gardens and woodland edge; mainly in south and Midlands but spreading.

Volucella bombylans

Excellent bumblebee mimic with several colour forms, including black/white and yellow, and black and red. Gardens, hedgerows and woodland.

Great pied hoverfly Volucella pellucens

Large and unmistakeable, with broad white patches on fat, black abdomen. Woodland rides, lanes and gardens.

Xylota segnis

Mimics solitary wasps. Orange band on slim black abdomen; partly yellow legs. Leafy gardens, hedgerows and woods; scuttles over leaves and logs.

Main image: A marmalade hoverfly feeding on the pollen of a verbascum. © Rod Hill/Getty