Wasps can be scary and intimidating insects. Their painful stings and aggressive behavior make most people wary of going near them. However, some flies have evolved to mimic the appearance of wasps, likely as a defense mechanism against predators. At a quick glance, these flies may fool both humans and animals into thinking they are dealing with an unfriendly wasp. But on closer inspection, their disguise becomes apparent.
In this article, we will look at 18 flies that resemble wasps. Understanding what they look like and where they can be found will help you correctly identify them and realize there is no need for alarm. Knowledge conquers fear!
Why Do Flies Mimic Wasps?
Many insects use mimicry as a survival strategy. By looking like a more dangerous or toxic species, they can avoid being eaten by predators
Wasps and bees advertise their ability to sting through conspicuous black-and-yellow color patterns. Potential predators learn to associate this color scheme with nasty consequences, so insects that copy it gain protection.
Flies are harmless and cannot sting. But flies that evolved wasp-like markings gain a selective advantage. A bird or other predator may think twice about attacking them and move on to easier prey. This phenomenon is known as Batesian mimicry.
Hoverflies (Family Syrphidae)
Many flies that resemble wasps belong to the family Syrphidae, also called flower flies or hoverflies. With over 6,000 species, this is a large and diverse family.
Adult hoverflies feed on nectar and pollen. They are important pollinators. Their larvae have varied diets, including aphids, caterpillars, and decaying plants or animals.
Here are some common hoverflies that could be mistaken for wasps:
1. Margined Calligrapher
The margined calligrapher (Toxomerus marginatus) is widespread across North America. Growing up to 6mm long, these small flies have yellow and black abdominal stripes that can cause them to be confused with yellowjackets. They inhabit diverse environments including forests, meadows, and deserts.
2. Thick-legged Hover Fly
As the name suggests, the thick-legged hoverfly (Syritta pipiens) is recognizable by its unusually robust legs. The abdomen has black and yellow bands. A European species, it has spread to North America and can be found in many habitat types.
3. Common Drone Fly
The common drone fly (Eristalis tenax) is one of the most widespread hoverflies. They are large, growing up to 15mm, and have brownish bodies with darker bands on the abdomen. Males aggressively defend territories. The larvae are known as rat-tailed maggots.
4. Dusky-winged Hover Fly
Smaller and more delicate than other species, the dusky-winged hoverfly (Ocyptamus fuscipennis) has clear wings with dark spots and an orange and black striped abdomen. It is often seen hovering over flowers.
5. Four-speckled Hover Fly
As its name indicates, the four-speckled hoverfly (Dioprosopa clavata) can be identified by the four white spots on its abdomen. It has a dark brown body with faint yellow bands on the abdomen and clear wings with brown borders.
Thick-Headed Flies (Family Conopidae)
Thick-headed flies constitute the family Conopidae. They have large heads compared to the rest of their bodies. Most are black with yellow, orange, or red markings.
Some interesting species include:
6. Common Eastern Physocephala
The common Eastern physocephala (Physocephala tibialis) is glossy black with white stripes on its abdomen and yellow on the face. It is widespread in eastern North America. The larvae are parasites of bees.
7. Physocephala Marginata
Physocephala marginata closely resembles a thin-waisted wasp. It is black with white or yellow banding on the legs and abdomen. Males congregate on hilltops waiting for females.
8. Physocephala Burgessi
This all-red thick-headed fly has a single black stripe on its back. It is often seen visiting flowers, especially where bees are abundant so it can lay eggs inside them.
Soldier Flies (Family Stratiomyidae)
Soldier flies get their common name from their resemblance to marching soldiers in their black and yellow/white color scheme. Over 2,500 species are found worldwide.
9. Garden Soldier Fly
The garden soldier fly (Exaireta spinigera), also known as the bronzy soldier fly, is a pest of compost heaps in Australia and North America. Adults obtain nectar from flowers. Larvae feed on decaying organic material.
10. Twin-Spot Centurion Soldier Fly
Native to Europe, the twin-spot centurion (Sargus bipunctatus) has two white spots on its black abdomen with a metallic sheen. It inhabits diverse environments including forests and grasslands.
Other Wasplike Flies
A few other flies round out our list of wasp mimics:
11. Robber Flies (Family Asilidae)
Robber flies are aerial hunters that capture other insects in flight. Many have long, thin abdomens and dangling legs like wasps. They can be recognized by their short antennae and stout bodies.
12. Black Soldier Fly (Family Stratiomyidae)
The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) lives up to its name with its black wasp-like appearance. A cosmopolitan species, its larvae play a role in decomposing organic waste.
13. March Flies (Family Bibionidae)
March flies are dark-colored with yellow legs and intricately patterned wings. Despite their resemblance to wasps, they are harmless. Larvae feed on roots, and adults obtain nectar.
14. Bee Flies (Family Bombyliidae)
Shiny and hairy, bee flies mimic bees, but some species have striped abdomens resembling wasps. They can be distinguished from bees by their large eyes and short antennae. Larvae are parasitic on other insects.
15. Frit Flies (Family Chloropidae)
Small (2-4mm) flies with wings patterned in yellow, brown, black, and white. Their wasplike colors may offer camouflage in grassy habitats near crops.
16. Dance Flies (Family Hybotidae)
Dance flies have very long legs and a humped thorax that gives them a top-heavy wasp profile. However, they can be identified by their lack of a narrow waist between thorax and abdomen. Most have patterned wings.
17. Long-legged Flies (Family Dolichopodidae)
With metallic bodies and extremely long legs, long-legged flies resemble wasps but are delicate and harmless. Over 7,000 species are known worldwide in diverse habitats.
18. Signal Flies (Family Platystomatidae)
Glossy black and yellow markings, transparent, colorful wings, and a hovering flight make signal flies look uncannily wasp-like. But their enlarged postpedicel (part of the antennae) gives them away. About 90 species occur in North America.
Don’t Be Fooled!
As we’ve seen, a wide diversity of flies have evolved to mimic wasp coloration and morphology. This adaptation likely protects them from predators.
So don’t panic next time an apparent wasp approaches. Take a closer look at its anatomy – it’s probably just a sly syrphid or other wasp-impersonating fly! While wasps should be avoided, these insects are generally harmless.
Understanding the diversity of wasp lookalikes out there can prevent unnecessary fear and allow you to appreciate the cleverness of mimicry in insect evolution. With a discerning eye, you can detect flies masquerading as wasps and see the beauty in both types of creatures.
When to seeMay to October
A hornet mimic hoverfly © Joan Burkmar
Hornet Mimic Hoverfly © Dave Riseborough
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Mantidfly – Looks like Praying Mantis and Wasp
FAQ
What fly resembles a wasp?
Due to their black and yellow stripes syrphid flies can be easily mistaken for bees and wasps. The most identifiable differentiation can be seen in the wings. Flies have only one pair of wings while bees and wasps have two.
Do hoverflies bite or sting?
Hover flies possess no body part with which they can inflict pain. They can’t even bite – they have what’s called a sponging/lapping mouthpart, the same as house flies and fruit flies.
What are hover flies good for?
Hoverflies are attracted to flowers as adult, but feed on aphids as larvae. Hover flies can be effective in suppressing aphid populations in gardens and mixed plots. They will be most noticeable in the later half of the growing season, usually after aphid infestations are established.
What are the black flies that look like wasps?
Members of the Mydas fly family tend to be large (for true flies), and many species resemble wasps (although they are harmless). Many species are black, dark, or tan, with red, orange, or yellow bands. Like all true flies, they only have only one pair of wings.
What flies look like a wasp?
The fly that looks like a wasp is called a hoverfly. In this article, we will identify both insects and outline the main differences between them. Hoverflies, known as flower flies, are part of the insect family Syrphidae. They are considered to be the most important pollinator among flies.
What stinging insect looks like a wasp?
It’s the season of flying and crawling annoying insects. Now you can see bees, wasps and other flying stinging insects that look like wasps to fly over. Well, you might happen to spot a fake wasp which is often confused with the well-known stinging insect. The fly that looks like a wasp is called a hoverfly.
Which hoverflies resemble wasps?
Some hoverflies resemble wasps. The Baccha genus are small and delicate-looking, often mistaken for wasps. Additionally, drone flies (Eristalis tenax) are another species that may resemble wasps.
Do Wasps resemble bees?
While wasps and bees share a similar yellow and black striped color pattern, wasps lack the fuzzy hair of bees or honeybees. Additionally, wasps have brightly-colored markings on their back and a noticeable thin waist between the thorax and abdomen, which helps differentiate them from bees.
What do flies look like?
These flies have red eyes and short antennae, helping you differentiate them from wasps. They have yellow and black banding and tend to hover, making them look very much like a wasp. They have a long and flat abdomen, bending downward.
Why do syrphid flies resemble wasps or bees?
Many syrphid fly species resemble wasps or bees with visible yellow or brown bands or spots on their bodies serving as protection from many predators. This feature causes them to be mistaken for their stinging relatives.