• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Nature Talks and Walks

Guided Nature Tours

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Delivers the Events?
    • Where are our Events Held?
    • Featured On
      • Nature Writing
      • Wildlife Presenting
  • Schools
    • Nursery Fun and Games
    • Primary School Education
      • Key Stage 1
      • Lower Key Stage 2
      • Upper Key Stage 2
    • Out of School Groups
    • Related School Services
  • Organisations
    • Adult Education
    • Comunity Groups
    • Holiday Activities
    • Museums and Information Centres
    • Retirement Homes
    • Scouts and Guides
    • Wildlife Charities and Societies
    • Garden Centres
    • Walking Groups
  • Services
    • Wildlife Walks
    • Nature Presentations
    • Educational Workshops
    • Wildlife Holiday Tours
    • Training Days
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Get in touch

Can Hoverflies Sting?

By Russ 1 Comment

The Marmalade Hoverfly is one of the most common to be spotted in the garden.Hoverflies are often mistaken for bees and wasps, and in many cases this is very much the point.

These flies are often covered in yellow and black stripes, which from a distance makes them look like a dangerous wasp ready to sting.

In reality, the hoverfly has no sting and is completely harmless to humans. Their stripes are a form of protection.

By looking like wasps, they trick predators in not coming near them! It’s a strategy that has resulted in the evolution of over a dozen British hoverflies, with varying degrees of blacks, oranges and yellows.

For telling wasps and hoverflies apart, concentrate on the eyes and you will see the hoverfly has much bigger eyes. They also differ in the way they fly.

Hoverflies also have an amazing hovering ability one which puts most helicopters to shame! See how many different species you can count in your back garden!

Don’t forget…

To learn more about what wildlife services we offer at Nature Talks and Walks, why not explore our ‘About Us‘ section.

You can also leave a comment below or email a picture and you could be featured in our future blogs! You can email us at:

Take care and remember, stay on the wild side!

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet

Filed Under: British Insects, British Invertebrates, Urban Nature Tagged With: can hoverflies sting?, hoverfly, hoverfly species, Insect, marmalade hoverfly

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Stevenson says

    September 13, 2019 at 5:14 pm

    A wonderful site: thank you…
    Perfect for my primary age son researching for a project on British wildlife. He has chosen the Marmalade hoverflies because he finds them fascinating.
    This behavioural feature of mimicking wasps and bees has inspired him to know more.
    If there are any more facts features he would be so grateful for direction to them.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

How Can We Help You?

Find out more about our services and how we can help you.

Get in Touch

Please follow and like our social media!

Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
YouTube
YouTube
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Nature Talks & Walks. All rights reserved.

Guided Nature Tours in Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Lancashire Website Built & Supported By: WebCentric360.com