The Common Hover Fly, Simosyrphus grandicornis, has black and yellow striped abdomen and looks a bit like a wasp. They are harmless and have these markings to scare off predators. They are often seen hovering near flowers, hence the name 'Hover Fly'. They feed on nectar and help to pollinate the flowers. The larvae are brown and fed on aphids. These characteristic make Hover Flies important as pollinators and for pest control.

Hover Flies are classified in the Order Diptera, which includes all Flies, and in the Family Syrphidae, which includes all Hover flies.

The Hover Fly shown here was seen hovering near the flowers of a Wax Flower, Philotheca myoporoides, and was photographed after it landed on grass. It is about 1cm long, between the sizes of a Bee and a House Fly.

Click on the picture to download a higher resolution image (T.Hastings 6/10/09).