4. The Great Hoverfly Mix-Up
Every now and then, someone excitedly sends me a photo, convinced they’ve discovered a brand-new species of bee.
“Look at its eyes,” I tell them with a smile. “It’s not a bee — it’s a fly!”
Bee or Fly? Here’s How to Tell
At first glance, it’s easy to confuse the two. Hoverflies are masters of disguise. But once you know what to look for, you’ll never be fooled again.
1. Eyes:
Flies have big, round, bulging eyes that take up most of their head — like tiny helmets of vision. Bees’ eyes are smaller, oval-shaped, and sit neatly on the sides of their head.
Flies’ near-360° vision helps them detect even the slightest movement. Bees, on the other hand, have sharper vision for detail — perfect for spotting the shape of a flower from afar.
2. Wings:
Bees have two pairs of wings, while flies only have one. Simple, but easy to miss when they’re zipping around!
3. Antennae:
Bee antennae bend like tiny elbows — flexible and jointed. Flies’ antennae are short, stubby, or hair-thin, with no bend at all.
4. Hair and Legs:
Bees are generally furrier and use their hairy legs or abdomens to collect pollen. Some native bees are sleeker and less hairy, though only female bees of certain species have proper pollen baskets.
5. Waistline:
Bees have a slim, hourglass-shaped waist, while flies’ bodies are more compact, with the thorax and abdomen sitting close together.
The Art of Imitation
Many creatures evolve to look like something else — a clever trick called mimicry.
In nature, mimicry helps harmless species look dangerous so predators think twice before attacking.
One famous form of mimicry, called Batesian mimicry, is when a harmless species imitates a toxic or venomous one. Snakes, butterflies, and even flies have evolved this way.
And among the best mimics of all? The humble hoverfly.
They look so convincingly like bees or wasps that even humans — including bee enthusiasts! — get fooled.
Meet the Hoverfly
Worldwide, there are more than 6,000 species of hoverfly. They live almost everywhere except Antarctica and the driest deserts.
New Zealand alone has around 37 endemic species, with another 48 waiting to be officially named. Only five species here are introduced, and one — the globetail (Sphaerophoria) — we even share with North America.
The family name for hoverflies is Syrphidae, sometimes called flower flies. They range from fat to slim, black to yellow, and mimic everything from bumblebees to wasps.
Our native stars include the white-girdled hoverfly (Helophilus cingulatus) and the golden drone fly (Eristalinus punctulatus).
Hoverflies: Nature’s Tiny Pest Controllers
Hoverfly adults feed on nectar and pollen, making them the second most important pollinators after bees.
Their hairy bodies pick up pollen easily, and they visit a wide variety of flowers — including tomatoes, melons, and strawberries.
Even better, their larvae are little heroes of pest control. Female hoverflies lay eggs on aphid-infested plants, and when the larvae hatch, they feast on the aphids — protecting your garden naturally.
A New Arrival: The Wasp Hunter
In May 2024, entomologist Bob Brown introduced a hoverfly from southern England, Volucella inanis, into Marlborough’s beech forests.
This species lays its eggs inside wasp nests, where the larvae feed on wasp young — offering a natural way to reduce invasive German wasp numbers.
Wasps have been wreaking havoc in New Zealand since the 1940s, attacking insects, birds, and even bees, costing the country over $130 million a year in damage and control.
Help Hoverflies Thrive
If you want to support these gentle mimics, plant a variety of flowers that bloom year-round. Avoid insecticides — they harm hoverflies as much as bees.
And next time you spot what looks like a tiny wasp or bee hovering in midair, take a closer look — you might just be meeting one of nature’s best impersonators.
