Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii)

Name: Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii)

Scientific name: Syrphus ribesii

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 20

What are nature stars?

About: A very common hoverfly found along hedgerows, in gardens and woods. About 1cm long, with a rounded, black body and a pattern of yellow spots and bands. Adults feed on nectar of flowers, the larvae are aphid predators.

How to identify: This is just one of a large group of very similar hoverflies which can be found in a variety of habitats. Many hoverflies are very difficult to identify, needing a microscope to look at tiny characters including the shape of the veins in the wings.

Where: A widespread hoverfly

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 10
• Agility: 80
• Rarity: 20
• Cute factor: 30
• Traveller: 60

Fantastic fact: There are more than 270 species of hoverfly in the UK, ranging in size from a few millimetres to 2cm.

Photograph credit: Cécile Bassaglia