Imposters

Is it a bee? Is it a wasp? Is it a bumble bee? No, it’s a hoverfly, or maybe we should just call it an imposter-fly. Hoverflies are some of the insects which try to survive by pretending they are dangerous (they look like animals that can sting).

You usually see hoverflies buzzing around the flowers looking for pollen and nectar, or the males hovering in the air in their own little patch, with whirring wings so the females notice them and are tempted to come and have a closer look.

Hoverflies are peaceful herbivores, and they can neither sting nor bite and, therefore, aren’t very good at defending themselves against predators. Instead, they wear the same yellow and black stripes as many stinging insects – bees, wasps and maybe also bumble bees, and hope that birds and other predatory insects will leave them alone.

There are more than 200 different species of hoverfly in Denmark, and it is fun to take photos or to do some drawings of their lovely patterns, so that you have a complete collection.