hover fly representative specimen Kingdom: Animalia FEATURES Phylum: Arthropoda The hover fly is about one-fourth to one-half inch in Class: Insecta length. Its abdomen has black and yellow bands. It Order: Diptera has the general appearance of a bee or wasp but only two wings are present. Family: Syrphidae ILLINOIS STATUS BEHAVIORS common, native The hover fly may be found statewide in Illinois. It was given this name for its habit of hovering around flowers. It feeds on the nectar of flowering plants in open areas. The larvae are predators of aphids and also scavenge for food. This insect gains protection by looking like bees and wasps. Predators learn that eating a bee or wasp can be painful and try to avoid them after a first experience. They also avoid the hover fly because it looks like a bee or wasp.

© Roger Cook

ILLINOIS RANGE

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. representative specimen

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. representative specimen

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Aquatic Habitats marshes; wet prairies and fens

Woodland Habitats none

Prairie and Edge Habitats black soil prairie; dolomite prairie; edge; gravel prairie; hill prairie; sand prairie; shrub prairie

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources.