Have you ever noticed a fly with an unusual black and white pattern buzzing around your home or garden? While many flies are solid brown or black in color, some species sport eye-catching black and white stripes, spots, or bands that set them apart.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 8 of the most common black and white flies you may encounter. Getting familiar with their key features and behaviors can help identify them if they show up at your place. Let’s dive in!

1. White-Bowed Smoothwing

The white-bowed smoothwing (Scaeva affinis) is a medium-sized flower fly with an oval abdomen marked by distinctive curved white bands that don’t extend fully to the edges It averages 10-14 mm in length

You’ll find this black and white fly hovering around flowers in open fields and meadows during early summer months. It prefers blue or yellow blossoms like chamomile, where it feeds on nectar.

An interesting fact about the white-bowed smoothwing is its larvae prey on as many as 500 aphids each as they develop. So these flies help control pesky aphid populations in gardens and crops.

2. Bald-Faced Hornet Fly

Despite its name, the bald-faced hornet fly (Spilomyia fusca) isn’t a hornet at all, but a type of hover fly. It’s common across northeastern North America.

Growing up to 3/4 inch (19 mm) long, it has a black and white striped abdomen with yellowish wing markings. The eyes are an iridescent green color.

Bald-faced hornet flies often hover motionless in midair. The larvae live in moist rot holes in trees where they feed on decaying wood. Adults can be spotted on flowers, foliage, or near freshwater.

3. Spotted-Winged Drosophila

Part of the vinegar or fruit fly family Drosophilidae, the spotted-winged drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is an invasive pest originating from Asia It was first detected in the United States in 2008 and has spread steadily since.

Reaching 2-35 mm in length, it’s a small fly with red eyes and a pale brown thorax marked by black stripes The abdomen is black with distinct white bands. Males have a distinguishing black spot at the tip of each wing.

Unlike other vinegar flies that only infest overripe or damaged fruit, this species attacks ripe, healthy fruit on plants and trees. It’s become a major agricultural pest across North America and Europe.

Controlling spotted-winged drosophila relies on good sanitation, exclusion netting, and spraying approved insecticides when needed.

4. Long-Legged Fly

There are over 9,000 species of long-legged fly around the world. They belong to the family Dolichopodidae. One of the most common in North America is Hydrophorus oceanus.

This metallic green fly has distinct white banding on its abdomen and long legs, as the name suggests. It grows to about 1/5 inch (5 mm) in length. Males have feathery antennae to detect females nearby.

Long-legged flies inhabit wet areas near streams, lakes, and marshes. Their larvae feed on small aquatic organisms. Adults consume pollen and nectar. They are important predators that help keep mosquito and midge populations in check.

5. Tachinid Fly

Found across North America, tachinid flies are a large, very diverse family of parasitic flies. There are more than 1,300 species. Many have black and white color patterns, like the bristly tachinid (Epalpus signifier).

Growing up to 1/2 inch (12 mm) long, this species has a gray thorax with three prominent black stripes, a black-and-white striped abdomen, and brown legs. The wings have a smoky appearance with dark veins.

Tachinid flies seek out and lay eggs on caterpillars and other insects. The larvae then hatch and consume the host insects from inside, eventually killing them. This makes tachinids very beneficial for controlling crop pests.

6. Thick-Headed Fly

Found across North America and Europe, thick-headed flies belong to the family Conopidae. There are over 300 species worldwide. They are named for their large, rounded heads.

The black and red thick-headed fly (Physocephala tibialis) displays an eye-catching pattern with a black head, striped gray thorax, and black-and-white striped abdomen. It grows up to 3/4 inch (18 mm) long.

These flies can hover in place. Females seek out bumblebees to lay their eggs on. The larvae then develop inside the bees, eventually pupating in the soil. Adults frequent flowers to drink nectar.

7. Picture-Winged Fly

Picture-winged flies encompass over 2,000 small species worldwide that hold their wings in an upright, picture-like position over the abdomen when at rest. They belong to the family Ulidiidae.

A common North American species is the elm picture-wing fly (Tephrachlamys fulvipes). Just 1/5 inch (5 mm) long, it has smoky, mottled wings, a yellow face, gray thorax with three stripes, black legs, and a banded white-and-black abdomen.

Larvae feed on plant tissue and can sometimes become pests in crops like beets, spinach, and chard. Adults eat pollen and nectar. These flies are often seen visiting flowers in fields and meadows.

8. Asian Tiger Mosquito

Lastly, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a small species originally from Southeast Asia known for its striking black-and-white striped legs and body. It measures just 2-10 mm in length.

First detected in the U.S. in 1985, it has spread to over 30 states and continues to expand its range. It’s a severe nuisance biter that can transmit dangerous diseases like Zika, dengue fever, and West Nile virus.

To discourage Asian tiger mosquitoes from invading your property, eliminate all standing water sources and use mosquito dunks in rain barrels, bird baths, and ponds to kill larvae. Make sure window and door screens are in good repair.

The Takeaway

While flies with black and white patterns can look intimidating or out of the ordinary at first, most species are harmless to humans, and many provide valuable ecosystem services like pollination and pest control. Now that you know what to look for, you can identify these interesting flies if they show up in your landscape.