Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus)

Name: Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus)

Scientific name: Helophilus pendulus

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: A very common medium sized hoverfly, about 13mm long. Adults feed on nectar throughout the year. One of several species of related hoverfly whose larvae are known as rat-tailed maggots, living in muddy water.

How to identify: One of several related hoverflies with black and yellow stripes on the thorax and a black and yellow body.

Where:

A widespread hoverfly.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 80
• Rarity: 30
• Cute factor: 30
• Traveller: 60

Fantastic fact: Sometimes known as the Footballer Hoverfly, because of the yellow and black striped thorax, like an old-fashioned football jersey.

Photograph credit: Mick E. Talbot