hoverflies
Harmless wasp lookalikes
Hoverflies are small flies that hover in place with rapid wingbeats, often resembling bees or wasps in coloring.
Despite their mimicry, they don't sting.
Adults feed on nectar and pollen, while larvae eat aphids or decomposing matter, making them useful in gardens.
Also called flower flies or syrphid flies.
Floral sugar water
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- flowerPlant's reproductive organ
- blossomFlower on fruit tree
- gardenCultivated plant area
anther · stamen · cross-pollination · wildflower · meadow · foraging · feeding · proboscis
Sensory appendages on insects
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
wings · legs · setae · ocelli · spiracles · tarsi · mouthparts · cuticle
Feeding on aphids
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- greenhouseClimate-controlled plant enclosure
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- predationHunting and consuming prey
Immature metamorphosing creatures
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- maggotImmature fly stage
egg · oviposition · emergence · molting · development · generation · overwintering · diapause
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- genusTaxonomic rank above species
family · entomology · specimen · morphology · phylogeny · classification · identification
Aerial journey by aircraft
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- sun-lovingPreferring direct light
- dartingMoving suddenly, swiftly
feeding · mating · aggregation · migration · dispersal · resting · perching · courtship
Parallel linear markings
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- resemblanceLikeness between things
- bandingAdding decorative strips
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
nectar
Floral sugar water
garden · anther · stamen · cross-pollination · wildflower · meadow · foraging · feeding · proboscis · sunflower
antennae
Sensory appendages on insects
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
proboscis · wings · legs · setae · ocelli · spiracles · tarsi · mouthparts · cuticle · segmentation
aphidophagous
Feeding on aphids
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- greenhouseClimate-controlled plant enclosure
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
larvae
Immature metamorphosing creatures
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- instarArthropod developmental stage
maggot · egg · oviposition · emergence · molting · development · generation · overwintering · diapause · adult
diptera
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
genus · family · entomology · specimen · morphology · phylogeny · classification · identification
flight
Aerial journey by aircraft
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- sun-lovingPreferring direct light
darting · feeding · mating · aggregation · migration · dispersal · resting · perching · courtship
stripes
Parallel linear markings
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- resemblanceLikeness between things
- bandingAdding decorative strips
disguise · protective · harmless · stingless · impersonation
- hoverflies
- insectsant, ants, bee, bees, butterfly
- pollinatorsbees, bee, butterflies, butterfly, bumblebee
- mimicrychameleon, cuttlefish, stick insect, leaf insect, mockingbird
- pest controlinsecticide, rat trap, pesticide, mousetrap, exterminator
- bee plantsclover, white clover, red clover, wildflower, lavender
hoverfliesbees
Winged pollinators
wasps · honeybees · yellowjackets · bumblebees · hornets
hoverfliesaphids
Sap-feeding garden insects
garden pests · crop pests · whiteflies · spider mites · thrips
hover, hovering, hovers, hovered, hoverboard, hovercraft, hoverer, hoverfly, hoverers