The larvae of hoverflies prey voraciously on soft bodied insects, especially aphids. In contrast, adult hover flies are not predators but feed on nectar and pollen. The adults are distinctively patterned and although harmless they mimic bees and wasps with black and yellow bands across their abdomens. They fly swiftly and also display characteristic hovering flight, staying motionless in the air for short periods.

Identification: Adults are 4-7mm long and have a dark-coloured, flattened body often with yellow markings. Like most flies, they have large eyes and short antenna. They have one pair of clear wings. White, oval eggs are laid near colonies of aphids. Larvae are blind, slug-like maggots which feed voraciously on aphids. The brown, tear-shaped pupae are found under leaves or in ground litter.

Lifecycle: Small eggs usually deposited on, or near the host insect. Development from egg to adult takes between 2–6 weeks.

Habitat: Various crops and plants with infestations of targeted prey.

Targeted prey: Larvae of the hover flies are predators of many soft body insects such as aphids, scale insects, thrips and caterpillars.

 
“Hover fly larvae are blind, slug-like maggots which have a large appetite for aphids.” 5mm Photo: L. Wilson

 
“Adult Hover flies are harmless even though they look similar to a bee or wasp. They hover around feeding on the pollen and nectar of flowers.” 9mm Photo: C. Mares

 
“This brown, tear-shaped pupae of the Hoverfly is pictured under a cotton leaf.” 4mm Photo: L. Wilson