Yellow Dance Fly vs Hover Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Dance Fly Hover Fly
Scientific Name Empis stercorea Syrphus ribesii
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Empididae Syrphidae
Size 6-8 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Underground
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Yellow Dance Fly

A medium-sized dance fly with a yellowish body commonly found on spring flowers. Males present prey items as mating gifts. An important pollinator of spring flowers.

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Did You Know?

Important early-season pollinators that visit spring flowers while also hunting small insects on them.

Hover Fly

A bright yellow and black banded hoverfly that is an excellent wasp mimic. It hovers motionless in sunbeams before darting to a new position with extraordinary agility.

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Did You Know?

Hoverflies are the only insects besides hummingbirds and hawk-moths that can truly hover in one spot, fly backward, and fly sideways with precision.