Hoverfly vs Bee: The Differences and Why It Matters

Hoverflies and bees are both common visitors to gardens, but they serve different roles in the ecosystem.

Although they may appear similar at first glance, these insects have distinct features and behaviors that set them apart.

 

 

Hoverflies belong to the family Syrphidae and are often found darting around flowers in search of nectar.

They are known for their ability to hover in one spot for short periods, which is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from bees.

One of the primary benefits of hoverflies in gardens is their natural ability to control aphids and other small insects, as their larvae are voracious predators of such pests.

On the other hand, bees are members of the order Hymenoptera and play a crucial role in pollination.

Unlike hoverflies, bees collect both nectar and pollen, which they use to feed their young and produce honey.

While hoverflies have free-living predatory larvae, bee larvae are fed and cared for directly by adult bees within their hive.

In summary, while both hoverflies and bees can be mistaken for one another due to their appearance, these two insects belong to different families and carry out unique roles in supporting a healthy ecosystem.

From aphid control to pollination, both species bring valuable benefits to our gardens and environment.

Hoverfly vs Bee: Basics

Classification of Hoverflies and Bees

Hoverflies belong to the insect order Diptera, which encompasses all types of flies. Bees, on the other hand, are part of the order Hymenoptera, which also includes ants and wasps¹.

Physical Appearance

Hoverflies:

• Eyes: Large and usually touching at the top of the head²
• Wings: One pair¹
• Antennae: Short and stubby²

 

 

Bees:

• Eyes: Relatively smaller and not touching³
• Wings: Two pairs³
• Antennae: Elongated³

Coloration and Markings

Both hoverflies and bees display yellow and black patterns on their bodies⁴. However, they vary in size and body shape:

Hoverflies	Bees
Smaller in size5	Larger in size3
Slender body shape2	Stocky body shape3

Examples of hoverflies include the drone fly and the marmalade hoverfly, while bees have species like honey bees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees³⁵.

Their coloration and markings are used as a defense mechanism to ward off predators by mimicking the appearance of stinging insects⁵.

Behavior and Diet

Feeding Habits

Hoverflies and bees both consume nectar as their primary food source, but their feeding habits differ slightly.

Hoverflies:

• Feed on nectar and pollen from flowers
• Larvae mainly feed on aphids, making them beneficial for gardens

Bees:

• Feed on nectar and store it as honey
• Some species, like bumblebees, also consume pollen

Pollination and Plants

Both hoverflies and bees play critical roles as pollinators in ecosystems. They transfer pollen between plants, promoting plant reproduction.

Common plants visited:

• Hoverflies: sunflowers, marigolds, daisies
• Bees: lavender, rosemary, thyme

Reproduction and Lifecycle

Hoverflies and bees have distinct life cycles, which are mainly dictated by their reproduction strategies.

Hoverflies:

• Lay eggs on plants near aphid colonies
• Larvae hatch and feed on aphids, growing through several stages (molts)
• Pupa stage occurs before becoming an adult

Bees:

• Queen bee lays eggs in a colony
• Worker bees care for eggs and larvae
• Larvae grow and become pupae, then emerge as adult bees

 

 

Comparison Table:

	Hoverflies	Bees
Main Diet	Nectar and pollen	Nectar (stored as honey)
Reproduction	Eggs laid on plants	Eggs laid in bee colonies
Pollination Role	Significant	Significant

Remember to include both hoverflies and bees in your garden to support efficacious pollination and plant reproduction throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Distinguishing Features

Wing Structure

• Hoverflies: They belong to the insect order Diptera, which means they have two wings.
• Bees: They are part of the order Hymenoptera, and they have four wings.

Feature	Hoverflies	Bees
Wing count	2	4

Mouthparts and Waist

• Hoverflies: Their mouthparts are adapted for feeding on nectar in flowers, while their waist is usually slender.
• Bees: They have mouthparts suited for both nectar and pollen collection and possess a distinct “waist” between the thorax and abdomen.

Buzz and Proboscis

• Hoverflies: They are known for their hovering ability, and many species have a shorter proboscis.
• Bees: They produce a distinct buzz when flying and often have a longer proboscis for reaching nectar in various flower types.

Examples of hoverfly species include Scaeva pyrastri, a common species in the Pacific Northwest, whereas honeybees are a well-known bee species.

Some hoverflies, such as drone flies and corn flies, mimic the appearance of bees to deter predators.

Mimicry and Defense Mechanisms

Batesian Mimicry

Hoverflies and bees, such as metallic green sweat bees or honeybees, exhibit a phenomenon called Batesian mimicry, where harmless species mimic the appearance of dangerous ones to deter predators.

For example, the hoverfly sometimes resembles bumblebees or other stinging bees with similar patterns and colors.

Color variations in hoverflies can include –

• Metallic green
• Blue
• Gray

Stinging Capabilities

	Hoverfly	Bee
Stinging	No	Yes
Venomous	No	Yes
Danger Level	Harmless	Varies
Examples	–	Honeybee, Sweat Bee

Hoverflies, being harmless mimics, do not possess stinging capabilities or venom, whereas various types of bees, like honeybees and sweat bees, do.

This makes bees potentially dangerous for predators, while hoverflies are not a threat.

The pain level caused by a bee sting depends on the species – honeybees, for instance, cause intense pain, while sweat bees have a milder sting.

In addition to these tactics, some species, like giant honeybees, deploy unique defense mechanisms.

They generate heat by raising their abdominal temperatures to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit to fend off smaller predators like wasps.

 

 

Benefits and Drawbacks

Beneficial Insects in Gardens

• Hoverflies: As pollinators, they assist in maintaining healthy plant growth in gardens.
• Bees: They are key pollinators for various types of crops, flowers, and plants.

Both hoverflies and bees are vital pollinators that help with the growth and health of plants in your yard.

Adults often visit flowers to feed on nectar, providing them the necessary energy and nutrients to reproduce.

Pest Control

• Hoverflies: Their larvae are voracious predators of aphids, controlling their population size.
• Sweat Bees: While their focus is primarily on pollination, some species are known to prey on insects like ants.

Hoverfly larvae love munching on aphids, ensuring your garden stays pest-free. Sweat bees may occasionally contribute to pest control, though their impact is generally smaller.

Stinging Insects

Hoverflies are rather harmless insects that do not sting.

On the other hand, bees, while beneficial, can sting when they feel threatened, which may result in pain, swelling, and allergic reactions in some individuals.

Danger

• Hoverflies: They mimic the color and patterns of wasps and bees to gain protection from predators, posing no real threat to humans.
• Bees: Although vital for pollination, bees may pose a threat, especially for those who suffer from severe allergic reactions.

While hoverflies may look similar to bees, they don’t pose any danger to humans.

Conversely, bees can be hazardous to individuals with allergies or sensitivity to their sting, making them a potential threat in gardens.

Common species and Distribution

Bees: Social vs Solitary

Bees can be classified into two main types: social and solitary.

• Social bees, like honeybees and bumblebees, live in colonies led by a queen bee.
• Solitary bees, such as sweat bees and carpenter bees, live and lay eggs independently.

Some solitary bees have a metallic appearance, like the aptly-named metallic sweat bee.

In general, solitary bees are less aggressive than social bees, resulting in fewer conflicts with humans and other mammals.

 

 

Hoverflies: Syrphidae and other Families

Hoverflies, also known as flower flies or syrphid flies, belong to the family Syrphidae.

They are voracious predators of aphids and can be found feeding on nectar and pollen.

Characteristics of hoverflies include:

• Resemblance to bees and wasps for protection
• Ability to hover, hence the name
• Larvae (maggots) preying on pests

North American Distribution

Both bees and hoverflies are widely distributed across North America.

The 4,000 native bee species in the United States can be found outdoors, pollinating a wide range of plants.

Similarly, hoverflies also play a significant role in pollination and pest control.

Here’s a comparison table between bees and hoverflies:

Feature	Bees	Hoverflies
Type	Insect	Insect
Family	Apidae (and others)	Syrphidae
Diet	Nectar, pollen	Nectar, pollen (adults), aphids (larvae)
Pollination	Major role	Contributory role
Aggressiveness	Social (more), Solitary (less)	Generally non-aggressive

As the regional distribution of these pollinators may differ, understanding specific species found within an area can be crucial to support local ecosystems and agricultural practices.

Conclusion

Hoverflies and bees, while superficially similar, play distinct roles in our ecosystem.

Hoverflies, belonging to the Syrphidae family, are recognized for their hovering ability and their larvae’s role in controlling aphids.

They feed on nectar and are valuable pollinators, though not as efficient as bees.

Bees, members of the Hymenoptera order, are crucial pollinators collecting both nectar and pollen. They produce honey and have a structured colony life.

While both contribute significantly to pollination, understanding their differences, from feeding habits to reproductive strategies, is essential for appreciating their unique contributions to our environment.

Footnotes

1. https://hgic.clemson.edu/little-hover-flies-are-a-big-beneficial-insect/ ↩ ↩²

2. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/hover-flower-or-syrphid-flies-syrphidae/ ↩ ↩² ↩³

3. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/honey-bee-anatomy ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

4. https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/06/hoverflies-bee-mimics-provide-pollination-and-biocontrol-services/ ↩

5. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eesc/science/native-bee-inventory-and-monitoring-lab ↩ ↩² ↩³