Baccha elongata 

A small hoverfly whose larvae feed on aphids, especially Nettle and Bramble aphids

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our June 2024 Insect Walk)

Chrysogaster solistialis 

A hoverfly whose larvae develop in organically-rich wet mud and shallow pools in wooded settings

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)

Episyrphus balteatus - Marmalade Hoverfly

One of the commonest hoverflies in Britain, often boosted by large numbers migrating from continental Europe. Their larvae feed on aphids

Photo: Michael Milner

Epistrophe diaphana 

A species whose larvae feed on aphids

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)

Epistrophe eligans 

A species whose larvae feed on tree aphids

Photo: Michael Milner

Eristalinus sepulchralis - Small Spotty-Eyed Dronefly

A hoverfly wth speckled eyes whose larvae live in wet or moist decaying vegetation or other organic matter 

Photos: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)

Eristalis arbustorum - Eurasian Drone Fly

One of several drone fly species which mimic bees and whose larvae live in damp or wet areas with decomposing material

Photos: Geoff Frampton

Eristalis pertinax - Tapered Drone Fly

A large drone fly species which can often be seen hovering as the males defend their territories in spring and early summer

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our April 2024 Flower & Insect walk)

Eristalis tenax - Common Drone Fly

Another drone fly species which mimics bees and whose larvae live in damp or wet areas with decomposing material

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)

Eristalis species

Hoverfly "stack" with males hovering above a female

Photo: Nic Burns

Eupeodes species

There are several similar species, with larvae that feed on aphids

Photo: Geoff Frampton

Helophilus pendulus - Tiger Stripe Hoverfly

Larvae live in wet decaying vegetation at the edges of pools or ditches

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our June 2024 Insect Walk)

Myathropa florea - Batman Hoverfly

Named after the "Batman" marking on the thorax. Their larvae develop in wet hollows containing decaying matter such as leaves and twigs

Photos: Geoff Frampton (seen commonly on our insect walks in 2023 and 2024)

Platycheirus albimanus 

Small hoverflies whose larvae feed on aphids

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our April 2024 Flower & Insect Walk)

Sphaerophoria scripta

Long, thin hoverflies whose larvae feed on ground-layer aphids. Only males can be identified from photos

Photos: Geoff Frampton

Syritta pipiens - Thick-Legged Hoverfly

Small hoverflies that can be numerous hovering and darting around flowers as the males aggressively defend their territories. Their larvae live in wet decaying matter

Photos: Geoff Frampton

Syrphus species

Distinctive stripey hoverflies with aphid-eating larvae. There are five British Syrphus species but they can't always be reliably identified from photos, and several species from other genera can look rather similar  

Photos: Geoff Frampton

Volucella inanis - Lesser Hornet Hoverfly

Slightly smaller than the Hornet Hoverfly, the larvae of this species are predators on the grubs of social wasps, particularly the common wasp Vespula vulgaris

Photo: Geoff Frampton (seen on our August Bug Walk 2024)

Volucella pellucens - Great Pied Hoverfly 

A large and impressive-looking hoverfly whose larvae live as scavengers in the nests of social wasps. The larvae have evolved to "smell" like wasp grubs so they can exist among the wasps without being attacked

Photos: Geoff Frampton

Xylota sylvarum 

A hoverfly that is usually seen walking around on leaves, rather than visiting flowers. Their larvae have been found in rotting trees, tree roots and rot-holes  

Photos: Geoff Frampton (seen on our June 2024 Insect Walk)