The insect commonly known as the “hover bee” is not a bee at all, but rather a type of true fly belonging to the family Syrphidae, better known as the hover fly or flower fly. These insects have evolved a striking resemblance to stinging bees and wasps, an evolutionary strategy known as Batesian mimicry. This visual deception, which often involves bright yellow and black banding, serves to warn potential predators away from a harmless insect.
Why “Hover Bees” Cannot Sting
Hover flies are unable to sting because they lack the necessary biological equipment. They belong to the insect order Diptera, which translates to “two wings,” distinguishing them from bees and wasps in the order Hymenoptera. The stinging apparatus in bees and wasps is a modified ovipositor, a structure used by female insects to lay eggs. Hover flies do not possess this specialized organ. Their defensive strategy relies on the bluff provided by their coloration. While a female hover fly’s abdomen may sometimes taper to a point, creating the illusion of a stinger, this structure is harmless.
Key Differences Between Flies and Bees
Close observation of the insect’s physical structure reveals several clear differences that separate a harmless hover fly from a stinging bee or wasp.
- The simplest distinguishing feature is the number of wings. Hover flies, like all true flies, have only one pair of functional wings (two total), while bees and wasps possess two distinct pairs (four total).
- Antennae are also different. Bees and wasps typically have long, segmented antennae, but hover flies have much shorter, stubbier antennae that are often barely visible.
- Hover fly eyes are often large and prominent, sometimes covering a significant portion of the head. This contrasts with the eyes of bees and wasps, which are typically smaller relative to the size of their heads.
- The body structure of a hover fly tends to be smoother and less segmented. Bees and wasps often feature a noticeable constriction or “waist” where the thorax meets the abdomen, a characteristic absent in the more robust body of many hover flies.
The Beneficial Role of Hover Flies
Beyond their mimicry, hover flies are highly valuable insects in natural and agricultural ecosystems, serving a dual function. As adults, they are frequent visitors to flowers, feeding on nectar and pollen. Their movement makes them effective pollinators, often considered the second most important group globally after wild bees. The primary benefit comes from the hover fly larvae, which are voracious predators of soft-bodied garden pests. Female flies lay eggs near colonies of common pests, such as aphids, mites, and scale insects. A single larva can consume hundreds of aphids during its development, providing natural pest control without chemical intervention.