List of hoverfly species of Great Britain facts for kids

Male Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly with thin abdomen

Volucella inanis is one of the larger species of hoverfly found in Britain.

Hoverflies are amazing insects that look a lot like bees or wasps, but they are actually flies! They are super important because they help pollinate plants, just like bees do. They also help control pests by eating aphids when they are young.

This article lists the different types of hoverflies that have been found in Great Britain. Scientists Alan Stubbs and Steven Falk put together a big list in 1983. They grouped the hoverflies into larger families called subfamilies and smaller groups called tribes. Even though scientists are still learning more about how these flies are related, these old groupings are still used for now.

There were also six unnamed species in the original list, but we won't include them here.

Discovering Hoverflies: Subfamily Syrphinae

The Syrphinae are one of the main groups of hoverflies. Many of these flies are important pollinators. They often have bright yellow and black stripes, which makes them look like wasps. This helps them avoid predators!

Tiny Hoverflies: Tribe Bacchini

This group includes some smaller hoverflies. They are often found in gardens and woodlands.

• Baccha elongata
• Melanostoma mellinum
• Platycheirus clypeatus
• Xanthandrus comtus

Small and Speedy: Tribe Paragini

Hoverflies in the Paragini tribe are usually quite small. They can be very quick flyers!

• Paragus constrictus
• Paragus albifrons

Common Garden Visitors: Tribe Syrphini

This is a very large group of hoverflies. You might see many of these in your garden! They are often seen hovering over flowers.

• Chrysotoxum bicinctum
• Dasysyrphus tricinctus
• Didea fasciata
• Episyrphus balteatus (one of the most common hoverflies!)
• Sphaerophoria scripta
• Syrphus ribesii

Big and Buzzing: Subfamily Milesiinae

The Milesiinae subfamily includes many of the larger hoverfly species. Some of them can look quite hairy or chunky, like bumblebees.

Rare and Beautiful: Tribe Callicerini

These hoverflies are not seen as often. They are known for their unique looks.

• Callicera rufa

Hairy Hoverflies: Tribe Cheilosiini

Many hoverflies in this group are quite hairy. They can be found in different habitats, from forests to open fields.

• Cheilosia illustrata
• Rhingia campestris

Metallic Flies: Tribe Chrysogastrini

This group often has hoverflies with a shiny, metallic look. They can be very pretty!

• Chrysogaster solstitialis
• Lejogaster metallina
• Neoascia podagrica

Water Lovers: Tribe Eristalini

Many hoverflies in this tribe are called "rat-tailed maggots" when they are larvae. This is because their larvae live in watery places and have a long breathing tube!

• Eristalis tenax (the common drone fly)
• Helophilus pendulus
• Volucella inanis

Bulb Flies: Tribe Merodontini

Some hoverflies in this group are known as "bulb flies" because their larvae can sometimes feed on plant bulbs.

• Eumerus strigatus
• Merodon equestris

Small and Shy: Tribe Pelecocerini

These are generally smaller hoverflies that might be harder to spot.

• Chamaesyrphus caledonicus

Tiny Predators: Tribe Pipizini

The larvae of these hoverflies are often predators of aphids, which helps gardeners!

• Pipiza noctiluca
• Pipizella virens

Bumblebee Mimics: Tribe Sericomyiini

These hoverflies are excellent at mimicking bumblebees, both in their looks and their buzzing sound.

• Sericomyia silentis

Large Bee-like Flies: Tribe Volucellini

This group contains some of the largest and most impressive hoverflies. They are often very hairy and look a lot like bumblebees.

• Volucella bombylans
• Volucella pellucens

Woodland Dwellers: Tribe Xylotini

Many of these hoverflies are found in woodlands, and their larvae often live in decaying wood.

• Syritta pipiens (a very common species)
• Xylota segnis

Ant Nest Guests: Subfamily Microdontinae

This is a very special group of hoverflies! Their larvae live inside ant nests. They are quite rare to find.

• Microdon analis
• Microdon mutabilis